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SIK  FEANCIS  DKAKE'S 

MEMORABLE 

SEEVICE  DONE  AGAINST  THE  SPANIAKDS 

IN  1587. 
WRITTEN  BY  ROBERT  LENG,  GENTLEMAN, 

ONE  OF  HIS  CO-ADVENTURERS  AND  FELLOW- SOLDIERS. 


NOW  FIRST  EDITED, 

FROM  THE  ORIGINAL  MS.  IN  THE  BRITISH  MUSEUM, 
TOGETHER  WITH  AN  APPENDIX  OF  ILLUSTRATIVE  PAPERS, 

BY  CLARENCE  HOPPER. 


PRINTED  FOR  THE  CAMDEN  SOCIETY, 
M.DCCC.LXIII. 


INTRODUCTION. 


OF  all  the  expeditions  undertaken  by  Sir  Francis  Drake  that  of 
1587 — when  he  was  reluctantly  dispatched  by  his  perplexed  sove- 
reign to  Spain,  to  curb  the  gigantic  preparations  of  Philip  the 
Second  for  the  invasion  of  this  country — must  be  acknowledged  as 
the  most  happy  in  its  conceptions,  and  the  most  brilliant  in  its 
results. 

In  less  than  two  months  from  the  time  of  his  departure  from 
Plymouth,  the  intrepid  admiral  completely  swept  from  the  coasts  of 
Gallicia,  Portugal,  and  Andalusia  every  description  of  craft,  from 
the  formidable  galley  to  the  humble  trawl,  bearing  the  flag  of,  or 
politically  connected  with,  the  dynasty  of  Spain. 

Drake's  achievements  in  that  brief  space  of  time  are  absolutely 
unparalleled  in  the  annals  of  naval  warfare.  In  his  rapid  progress 
he  annihilated  the  tunny  fishery,  upon  the  annual  success  of  which 
the  Spanish  nation  almost  exclusively  depended  during  Lent  and 
other  seasons  of  abstinence.  To  a  devoted  Catholic  nation  such  a 
loss,  in  that  age,  was  a  serious  if  not  irreparable  calamity.  In  the 
harbour  of  Cadiz  he  destroyed  ten  thousand  tons  of  shipping,  besides 
warlike  stores  and  provisions  of  incalculable  value,  which  had  been 
laboriously  gathered  from  the  widely-spread  dominions  of  Philip, 
and  from  other  countries  in  alliance  with  the  crown  of  Spain,  to 
furnish  supplies  for  the  renowned,  and  so-called  "  Invincible," 
Armada. 

The  signal  discomfiture  and  loss  inflicted  upon  the  Spaniards 


4  INTRODUCTION. 

necessitated  a  postponement  of  their  long-meditated  invasion  of  our 
shores;  whilst  England,  by  the  activity,  courage,  and  skill  of  Drake, 
gained  an  additional  twelvemonth  for  making  preparation  to  resist 
her  formidable  and  implacable  foes ;  but  that  which  was  of  infinitely 
greater  importance,  her  gallant  sea-captain  had  fairly  tested  the 
vaunted  superiority  of  the  large  Spanish  galleys,  and  taught  his 
followers  to  despise  them.  In  a  few  hours  he  demonstrated  their 
unfitness  to  cope  with  the  lighter  vessels  of  Britain.  Such  a  lesson 
was  not  lost  upon  his  countrymen  in  the  following  year,  when 
Drake  saw  the  fulfilment  of  his  boast,  that  four  of  the  Queen's 
ships  were  more  than  a  match  for  the  new-fangled  and  unwieldy 
argosies  of  Spain. 

This  terrible  visitation  on  the  coasts  of  the  Spanish  monarch 
Drake,  who  appears  to  have  been  as  witty  as  he  was  bold,  was  wont 
jocosely  to  term  "  the  singeing  of  King  Philip's  beard" 

From  Cadiz  Sir  Francis  directed  his  course  towards  the  Azores, 
where  his  customary  good  fortune  attended  him.  Off  the  island  of 
Terceira  he  fell  in  with  and  captured  a  stupendous  and  richly -laden 
carrack,  returning  from  a  lengthened  voyage  to  the  East  Indies. 
As  well  from  the  commodities  as  from  the  journal,  charts,  and  other 
papers  and  documents  found  on  board  that  prize,  our  merchants 
learned  for  the  first  time  the  immense  commercial  resources  of  the 
East.  It  was,  in  fact,  the  capture  of  this  magnificent  vessel  that 
suggested  the  first  idea  of  establishing  the  East  India  Company. 
The  name  of  Drake,  although  he  did  not  live  to  see  the  company 
incorporated  by  royal  charter,  is  thus  identified  with  the  most 
superb  acquisition  of  the  British  crown. 

Successful  and  brilliant  as  were  the  results  of  this  memorable 
expedition,  it  is  very  remarkable  that  fewer  details  of  it  are  generally 
known  than  of  any  other  in  which  Drake  had  a  share.  With  the 


INTRODUCTION.  5 

exception  of  the  brief  account  in  Hakluyt,  and  a  briefer  one 
contained  in  a  contemporary  tract  preserved  in  the  Grenville  Library, 
and  asserted  to  be  unique,  entitled  "Neives  out  of  the  Coasts  of 
Spain."  4°  Land.,  1587,  (which  no  doubt  was  written  by  Captain 
Thomas  Fenner,  vice-admiral  in  succession  to  Captain  Burrough,) 
nothing  further  with  respect  to  this  expedition  has  been  published. 

As  the  present  relation  contains  the  fullest  particulars,  both  with 
respect  to  the  attack  upon  the  previously  conceived  impregnable 
harbour  of  Cadiz,  and  the  fortunate  seizure  of  the  treasure-laden  San 
Philippe,  it  necessarily  constitutes  an  equally  important  and 
interesting  addition  to  our  naval  history. 

Of  Robert  Leng,  the  author  of  the  following  pages,  nothing 
whatever  is  known. 

It  is  not  improbable  that  he  was  one  of  the  volunteer  soldiers  to 
whom  Drake  makes  allusion  in  his  letter  to  the  Council  under  date 
of  March  3,  1587 :  "  There  are  here  at  this  presente  [in  Plymouth]  a 
great  nomber  of  goode  and  serviceable  soldyers,  which  voluntarilie 
have  resorted  hither  to  serve  in  this  action,  as  this  bearer,  Captaine 
Marchaunte,  who  hath  scene  the  trayninge  of  them,  can  geive  your 
Lordships  to  understande."  (Add.  MS.  9294,  fol.  136.)  And  again  in 
his  letter  to  Walsingham  of  the  2nd  of  April  following:  "  If  your 
.honor  did  now  se  the  flett  under  sayell,  and  knew  with  what  resollu- 
cyon  men's  mynds  dow  enter  into  this  accyon,  as  your  honor  would 
rejoyce  to  se  them,  so  ye  would  judge  a  small  force  would  not  devyd 
them.  I  asure  your  honor,  uppon  my  credytt,  ther  are  many 
suffycyent  men  in  this  accyon,  yeat  there  hath  dyvers  start  from  us 
within  this  tow  dayes  past,  and  we  all  thinck  by  some  practys  of 
some  adversaryes  to  the  accyon,  by  letters  written ;  they  are  most 
maryners;  we  have  soldyers  in  their  place."  (Dom.  Corresp.  S.  P.  0.) 

In  spite  of  these  cowardly  desertions,  there  were  many  stout  and 


6  INTRODUCTION. 

valiant  hearts  left  behind,  to  accompany  the  naval  hero  to  the  scene 
of  his  successes,  amongst  whom  we  may  number  the  penman  of 
this  narrative. 

Seaman,  soldier,  or  gentleman-adventurer,  allured  to  sea  by  the 
brilliant  reputation  of  Drake,  this  was  manifestly  his  primary 
voyage.  His  plain,  straightforward,  and  sailor- like  story,  which 
differs  in  no  essential  particular  from  what  is  known  of  the  expedi- 
tion, is  a  guarantee  for  his  accuracy  and  faithfulness.  He  fills  in  a 
picture  of  which  before  we  possessed  only  the  bare  outline. 

Unpretending,  whether  in  his  capacity  of  soldier  or  writer,  he 
reminds  the  reader  that  he  is  "  wanting  in  both  learning  and  skill  in 
arms ;"  nevertheless  a  history  such  as  this,  coming  to  us  fresh  from 
the  pen  of  one  of  the  devoted  followers  of  Drake,  can  scarcely  fail, 
from  its  terseness  and  simplicity,  to  be  attractive  to  most  readers. 

Leng's  unbounded  admiration  of  his  commander  is  an  additional 
proof  (were  it  needed)  of  the  singular  estimation  in  which  that 
greatest  of  sea-captains  was  held  by  his  men,  and  the  entire  narrative 
tends  (indirectly  at  least)  to  show  how  unjust  were  the  prejudices 
which  the  peace-party  in  the  divided  Court  of  Elizabeth,  at  the 
most  critical  juncture  in  her  reign,  entertained  against  him. 

Drake,  by  virtue  of  a  commission,  was  no  sooner  despatched  upon 
his  errand,  than  (with  the  vacillating  policy  of  the  Queen's  advisers) 
a  missive  was  hastened  after  him,  urging  a  more  moderate  routine 
of  hostilities,  and  doubtless  considerably  qualifying  the  previous 
instructions. 

Sir  James  Croft,  the  Comptroller  of  the  Eoyal  Household,  than 
whom  no  one  entertained  a  stronger  prejudice  or  exhibited  more 
determined  animosity  against  Drake  for  his  audacious  proceedings 
in  the  Indies,  fearing  a  repetition  of  his  conduct  upon  the  Spanis 
coast,  which  would  inevitably  destroy  all  hope  of  effecting  a  treaty 


INTRODUCTION.  7 

of  peace,  actually  carried  his  opposition  so  far  as  to  publicly  accuse 
the  Admiral  of  defrauding  her  Majesty  of  treasure,  in  jewels  and 
bullion,  to  an  almost  fabulous  amount,  and  corrupting  with  his  ill- 
gotten  spoils  not  a  few  officers  in  her  navy.  It  is  scarcely  necessary 
to  add  that  this  desperate  scheme  of  the  Comptroller  for  preventing 
the  sailing  of  Drake,  even  for  an  hour,  utterly  failed.  No  credence 
whatever  was  attached  to  his  extraordinary  accusation ;  it  passed 
unheeded  alike  by  the  Council  and  the  public. 

To  have  traced  this  original  commission  and  instructions,  under 
the  Queen's  hand  would  have  been  important,  as  manifesting  the 
full  extent  of  authority  committed  to  the  commander  of  the  expedi- 
tion ;  but  unfortunately  research  has  been  without  avail  to  discover 
any  record  of  the  same,  none  appearing  to  exist  other  than  the  date 
quoted  in  the  "  Agreement  with  the  Merchant  Adventurers,"  and  a 
kind  of  abstract  to  be  found  in  a  letter  from  Burroughs  to  Drake 
dated  30  April,  1587,  in  these  words:  "As  I  take  it,  the  substaunce 
of  the  scope  that  is  given  you  [Drake]  is  this,  for  that  by  information 
the  kinge  of  Spaine  is  preparinge  a  greate  armie  by  sea,  parte  at 
Lisbone  and  other  in  Andolozia,  and  within  the  streightes,  all  which 
was  judged  should  meete  at  Lisbone,  and  the  same  to  come  for  Eng- 
land or  some  parte  of  her  Mates  domynions,  her  Mates  pleaseur  is  by 
advise  of  her  highnes  counsaile  that  you,  with  these  shippes  now 
under  your  charge,  should  come  hether  to  this  cape  and  uppon  this 
coaste,  and  seeke  by  all  the  best  meanes  you  can  to  impeache  there 
purpose  and  stoppe  theare  meetinge  at  Lisbone  (if  it  might  be), 
whereof  the  manner  how  is  referred' to  your  discression.  This  is  the 
effect  of  your  instruccions  as  I  remember,  &c.  *  *  *  I  doe  not 
finde  by  your  instruccions  any  advice  to  lande,  but  I  remember 
a  speciall  caviatt  and  advice  given  you  to  the  contrarie  by  the  Lord 
Highe  Admirall." 


8  INTRODUCTION. 

The  despatch  sent  after  the  captain  of  the  fleet,  advocating  a 
milder  and  more  temperate  course  of  action,  never  reached  him  : 
adverse  winds  enforced  the  messenger  to  come  home,  and  the  govern- 
ment, unable  to  punish  the  humble  bearer  of  their  letters,  in  its 
eagerness  to  appease  foreign  policy,  threw  the  entire  odium  of  the 
matter  upon  Drake,  avowing  its  intention,  on  his  return,  to  call 
him  to  account  for  that  which,  in  its  own  estimation,  was  little  else 
than  an  act  of  daring  and  unauthorised  piracy. 

The  Editor  has  been  fortunate  enough  to  discover,  not  only  the 
bill  of  lading  of  the  San  Philippe,  but  also  various  statements  of 
the  actual  amount  of  treasure  which  Drake  and  his  companions 
brought  home  with  them  in  the  summer  of  1587,  together  with 
some  few  other  unpublished  papers  bearing  upon  the  same  expedi- 
tion. Two  letters,  moreover,  from  Sir  Francis  himself,  affording 
his  own  description  of  the  attack,  the  which  are  already  in  print 
(but  in  tracts  so  rare  and  curious  that  it  may  well  excuse  their 
re-production),  must  not  pass  unnoticed.  These  he  has  thrown  into 
an  Appendix,  as  illustrative  of  the  text ;  and  trusts  that  they  will  be 
considered  useful  and  interesting  adjuncts  to  the  modest  and  un- 
varnished narration  of  Robert  Leng. 


CLARENCE  HOPPER. 


Denmark  Road,  Camberwell, 
September  1,  1862. 


Anno  Domini  1587.    Annoque  Regni  Regine  Elizabethe 

xxix° . 


The  true  Discripcion  of  the  last  voiage  of 

that  worthy  Captayne,  Sir  Frauncis 

Drake,  knight,  with  his  service 

done  against  the  Spanyardes  ; 

collected  by  Roberte 

Leng,  gentleman, 

one  of  the  said 

voiage. 


ALTIOR  FORTUNA  VIRTUS. 


CAMD.  SOC. 


To  the  Right  Honorable  Arthur, 

Lord  Grey  of  Wilton,  and 

Knight  of  the  most  honorable 

Order  of  the  Garter,  Roberte 

Leng  wysheth  increase 

of  honor  and  all 

happynes. 

£ 

Consyderinge,  (Eight  honorable,)  that  the  loue  of  our  country  serves 
for  a  touchstone  to  trye  the  pretious  nature  of  true  nobility e,  whome 
truth  hath  puryfied  in  her  burninge  fornace  ;  I  was  incyted  by  the 
zeale  I  beare  you  to  present  yow  with  theise  fewe  crookeed  lynes, 
the  pythe  whereof  discribes  the  true  voiage  of  that  worthy  knight, 
Sir  Frauncis  Drake,  in  whose  company  my  self,  being  one  of  the 
least  yett  in  affeccion  agreable  to  the  best,  earnestly  desyerd  to 
patronage  this  copye  under  your  honors  proteccion  ;  knowing  that 
wysdom  wynckes  att  small  faultes,  where  the  foolyshe  make  all 
faultes.  Thus,  hopeinge  of  your  favorable  acceptaunce,  I  comytt 
your  honor's  happy  enterpryces  to  the  guidinge  of  the  Allmightye. 

Your  honor's  to  comaunde, 

EGBERT  LENG. 

Quo  semel  est  imbuta  recens  servabit  odorem 

Testa  din. 

«  [Hor.  Epist.  lib.  i.  Epist.  ii.  69.] 


TO  THE  READER. 

IT  is  imagined  by  the  Poetes,  gentle  reader,  that  Minarva  the 
goddesse  of  Learninge  was  paynted  with  a  speare  and  a  shelde, 
thereby  intendinge  that,  as  she  favored  learninge,  soe  she  guided 
the  course  of  warr.  Off  whome  althoughe  my  selfe  am  not 
worthye  to  be  protected,  (being  soe  sacred  and  syncere  a  goddesse,) 
wantinge  both  learninge  and  skyll  in  armes  :  yett  herein  am  I  bold- 
ened,  by  the  courtesye  of  your  favors,  to  shadowe  my  accions,  and  the 
full  effect  of  theise  my  enterprices  under  your  frendly  judgementes; 
which  I  hope  you  will  not  misinterprett,  consyderinge  yt  contayneth 
the  excellent  prowesse  of  soe  martiall  a  man,  whose  worthye  actes 
may  commende  him  for  pollycye  a  secondeVlisses,  for  martiall  affayres 
an  other  Hector,  and  for  profitable  goverment  a  new  Licurgus :  which 
shyninge  vertues  (to  illustrate  soe  blessed  a  comon  welth,)  may 
neyther  by  right  be  obscured  nor  hindred  to  sett  fourth  the  comfort- 
able brightnes  thereof.  Theise  causes,  friendly  reader,  (rather  then 
my  owne  devyse,)  make  me  presume  to  present  unto  your  discretions 
this  true  discourse,  warranted  with  the  sayinge  of  that  mirror  Alex- 
ander, who  lyked  the  rude  poemes  of  wytlesse  Cherillus  because  they 
contayne  the  happynes  of  Homer. 

Your  lovinge  frend, 

Ko:  LENG. 


THE   PEEFACE. 

WHEKEAS  yt  hath  bene  th'order  of  all  antiant  orators,  in  the  behalfe 
of  the  honor  and  credytt  of  every  of  there  severall  provinces  and 
country es,  to  regester,  imbooke,  or  incronicle  all  such  worthy e 
persons,  both  for  prowesse  and  pollycye,  as  by  there  valyant  actes 
have  deserved  perpetuall  remembraunce  of  there  worthynes  :  soe  I 
have  thought  good  (thoughe  farr  inferior  in  learninge  or  eloquence 
to  any  of  theise  learned  orators,  yett  not  behynd  them  in  good  will), 
to  sett  fourth  in  particularytyes  the  most  noble  actes  and  attemptes 
of  our  valyant  and  fortunate  Champyon,  Sir  Frauncis  Drake,  knight. 
The  which  he  hath  done  of  late  with  his  courragious  company  to  his 
and  there  great  honor,  the  comodytye  and  credytt  of  there  countrye; 
the  lyke  never  in  any  age  done  by  any  subject,  which,  to  them  that 
have  not  sene  them  or  bene  att  the  doeinge  thereof,  might  seame 
most  incledible  or  att  the  least  most  invincible  :  and  which  were 
great  obsurdytye  for  us  his  frendes  and  countrymen  to  drowne  in  the 
syncke  of  oblivion,  whereby  our  poster [it]ye  shoulde  condem,  eyther 
our  ignoraunce  in  disablynge  us,  or  our  folly  in  not  discribinge  the 
worthynes  of  his  magnanimtye,  for  th'incouragement  and  credytt  of 
them  and  country  hereafter.  My  selfe,  amongst  the  least,  being 
loth  that  soe  valiant  a  man  shoulde  be  forgotten,  havinge  bene  in 
this  his  last  voiage  and  sene  his  worthynes  therein,  have  boldely 
taken  upon  me  (thoughe  unlearned)  to  sett  downe  in  this  my  booke 
his  particuler  and  most  valyant  actes  and  exploites,  as  truly  as  my 
remembraunce  will  geve  me  leave  :  more  respectinge  to  have  his 
name  to  be  had  in  famous  remembraunce,  then  eyther  comendacions 
to  my  selfe  (which  my  desertes  cannot  obtayne,)  or  the  feare  of  the 
envious  reporte  of  the  malitious,  who  had  rather  have  all  men  deade 
men,  lyke  them  selves,  then  that  they  shoulde  lyve  in  future 


14  THE  TRUE  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE 

remembraunce  of  our  posterytye ;  th'effect  whereof  as  breeffly  as  I 
can  gather  hereafter  followeth. 

On  the  fyrst  day  of  Aprill,  beinge  Satterday,  our  Generall,  Sir 
Frauncis  Drake,  havinge  stayed  att  Plymouth  8  dayes  fully  to 
furnishe  his  flete ;  the  next  day  followinge,  beinge  Sonday,  and 
the  seconnde  day  of  the  same  mounth,  we  all  put  out  to  sea,  in 
number  25  sayle:  videlicet,  the  Elizabeth-Bonaventor,  admirall;  the 
Golden  Lyon,  vize-admirall ;  the  Dreade-naughte,  reare  admirall; 
and  the  Raynebowe:  theise  4  the  Queen  Majesties  shipps,  the  rest 
beinge  marchaunt  shipps  and  pynnisses.  And  soe,  kepinge  our  course 
towardes  Portugall,  on  Monday  the  3.  day  in  the  forenone,  (havinge 
a  faire  wynde,)  we  had  in  chasse  two  sayles,  who  in  shorte  space  we 
brought  under  our  lee  ;  who,  being  2  men  of  war  of  Lyme,  our 
generall  comaunded  them  to  attende  his  flete  for  better  assystaunce 
in  his  voiage,  to  whose  courteous  comaundement  they  willingly 
obayed ;  and  on  Wednesday  next,  the  5.  of  the  same  mounth,  we 
discried  the  lande  of  Galizia,  and  costinge  towardes  the  North  Cape 
within  2  dayes  followinge  we  were  dryven  by  extremitye  of  wether 
to  sea,  where  for  the  space  of  T  dayes  in  a  tempest  we  were  tossed, 
in  which  saide  tempest  we  lost  a  lytle  pynnisse  called  the  Martigo, 
and  all  our  flete  severally  disperced;  but,  (God  be  thanked !)  by  the 
carefull  advice  and  comaundement  of  our  Generall,  within  one  day 
and  a  night  after  we  were  all  gathered  together  againe.  And 
kepeinge  our  course  towards  the  South  Cape,  on  the  17.  day  of 
Aprill,  we  sayled  by  yt :  dyverse  of  our  small  barkes  and  pynnisses 
shoreinge  in,  and  chasseinge  within  there  bayes  there  small  barkes 
and  carvells,  and  Avhere  we  tooke  one  ;  and  so  from  thence  we  bore 
on  to  the  Estwardes,  and  on  Wednesday  in  th'afternone,  the  19.  of 
the  same  mounth,  we  arryved  within  the  rode  att  Cales,  where  we 
founde  a  great  flete  of  shippes  rydeing.  Soe  sone  as  we  were 
discried,  2  of  there  gallyes  made  towardes  us,  and,  judging  what  we 
were,  they  made  haste  into  shore  againe,  not  offeringe  to  shoote  one 
shott  att  us ;  yett,  before  they  coulde  retorne,  our  Admirall  with 


VOYAGE  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D.   1587.  15 

others  of  our  flette  shott  them  thorowe,  and  slew  ten  of  there  men  : 
presently  there  came  fourth  from  the  towne  ten  other  gallyes,  and 
foughte  with  us,  but  we  applyed  them  soe  well  with  our  great 
ordenaunce,  that  two  of  them  were  fayne  to  be  hay  led  up  that  night. 
In  the  meane  tyme  the  marchaunt  ryall  and  the  rest  of  the 
marchaunte  shipps,  our  flete,  made  staye  of  dyverse  of  there  shipps, 
which  had  cutt  there  cables,  and  hoiste  there  sayles,  to  have  gotten 
over  to  Porte  Ryall,  St.  Mary  Porte,  and  to  other  harbors  nighe 
there  unto.  Some  escaped,  but  most  of  them  were  stayed,  whome 
when  we  boorded,  moste  of  there  men  leaped  into  the  rode  and  swym 
to  shore.  The  same  night  our  generall,  havinge,  by  Godes  good 
favor  and  sufference,  good  opportunitye  to  ponishe  the  enemye  of 
Godes  true  Gospell  and  our  dayly  adversarye,  and  further  willinge 
to  discharge  his  expected  dutye  towardes  God,  his  prynce,  and 
country,  begun  to  synck  and  fyer  dyverse  of  there  shipps. 
Amongst  which  there  was  one  argocye  sunck,  (sore  against  all  our 
wills,)  which  had  in  her  as  yt  was  reported  36  brasse  peces. 

The  next  day  the  Gallyes  made  dy vers  bravadoies  upon  us  ;  the 
towne  and  other  there  fortes  also  played  upon  us  all  the  day  longe, 
but  did  us  lytle  hurte  ;  savinge  that  the  master  gunner  of  the 
Golden  Lyon  had  his  legg  broke  with  a  shott  from  the  towne. 
The  same  day  and  nyght  following  our  generall  (to  performe  and 
fynishe  his  good  service,  and  knowing  there  noe  place  of  stay,) 
begun  to  burne  afreshe,  amongst  which  there  was  one  shipp  of  the 
Marques  de  S1*  Cruses  burnte,  which  was  thought  to  be  a  shipp 
of  fyftene  hundred  tuns,  and  had  in  her  500  tuns  of  iron :  we  did 
burne  in  the  whole  aboute  30  sayle  all  of  great  burthen,  soe  that  I 
judge  we  spoyled  him  7000  tons  of  shippinge:  we  burned  and 
brought  away  with  us  500  tuns  of  breade,  we  also  burned  400  tuns 
of  wheate,  we  also  spoyled  him  2000  tuns  of  wyne,  besydes  great 
quantitye  of  oyle.  And  all  our  shipps  well  furnished  with  wyne, 
bread,  oyle,  and  other  necessaryes. 

This  great  provicion  of  shippinge  and  victualls  (as  the  Spanyardes 
saide,)  were  prepared  against  Englande.  But  the  Allmightye  God, 
knowinge  and  seeinge  his  wycked  intent  to  ponishe,  molest,  and 


16  THE  TRUE  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE 

treble  his  lytle  flock,  the  children  of  Israel,  hath  raysed  up  a  faith- 
full  Moyses  for  the  defence  of  his  chosen,  and  will  not  suffer  his 
people  utterly  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  there  enimyes.  Our  good 
God  did  soe  mercyfully  and  favorably  assyste  our  happye  generall 
and  leader,  in  this  shorte  tyme  of  service,  as  was  most  marvelous : 
for  the  21.  day  in  the  morninge,  by  2  of  the  clock,  we  came  out  of 
the  rode,  and,  when  we  were  a  lytle  out,  we  fell  becalmeed,  and 
ten  gallyes  followed  us,  and  fought  with  us  all  that  forenone;  but 
whether  for  lack  of  powder  and  shott,  or  by  reason  of  the  heat  of 
the  day,  I  know  not,  or  some  of  them  shott  thorowe,  which  was  most 
lykelest  as  we  judged,  they  lay  a  looife  of  for  the  space  of  three 
howers ;  never  after  durst  come  within  our  shott.  Which  our  generall 
seeing,  that  afternone  sent  to  the  captayne  of  thoise  galleyes,  to  knowe 
yf  he  had  any  Ynglyshe  men  in  the  gallyes  as  slaves  there,  as  also  to 
will  him  to  delyver  unto  him  5  Ynglyshe  men  whom  they  had 
taken  with  a  carvell  att  our  comynge  into  Gales,  by  reason  she  was 
soe  farr  behynde  us,  the  which  carvell  we  had  taken  the  day  before : 
and  he  wolde  delyver  soe  many  Spanyardes  or  Portugalls  for  them. 
Att  which  tyme  he  sent  his  bote  to  our  generall,  presentinge  him 
with  suckett,*  and  such  other  novelltyes  as  they  had,  certyfyinge 
him  that  they  had  none,  but  onely  thiose  whome  they  had  taken 
with  the  carvell,  who  were  lyvinge,  and  in  the  towne  att  Gales : 
to  satysfye  which,  yf  yt  pleased  him  to  stay  untyll  the  next  day, 
they  wolde  make  his  request  knowne  unto  the  governors  of  the 
towne,  and  wold  retorne  to  him  againe  with  answere.  But,  as  by 
our  generall's  judgment  he  perceaved  there  dissymulacion  and  there 
intent  to  defarr  tyme,  for  to  accomplyshe  some  other  there  devellish 
practyse,  (and  fyndinge  the  wynde  for  his  purpose  and  large,)  that 
night  bore  out  to  the  sea ;  not  makeinge  any  accompt  of  there  true 
meaninge  or  dealinges  towardes  him  in  retorne ;  after  which  tyme  of 
departure,  we  tooke  att  sea  a  flyebote  of  Dunkyrke,  which  was  sent 
to  Englande,  as  hereafter  shall  appere. 

Within  fewe  dayes  after,  our  Ajax,  his  myride  beinge  moved  to 

*  Suclcet,  a  kind  of  sweetmeat. 


VOYAGE  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D.  1587.  17 

spende  some  further  tyme  in  his  prynces  service  with  his  courragious 
company  to  aggravatt  the  honor  of  his  fame,  on  the  4.  day  of  May, 
by  tymes  in  the  morning,  was  landed  by  his  appointment  1000  men, 
(18  antient,)  who  with  bolde  courrage  marched  thorowe  there  corne 
and  vyneyeardes,  for  the  space  of  fyve  myles,  towardes  the  towne  of 
Lawgust.  And  where  we  see  afarr  of  about  400  horsmen  bravely 
horssed,  but  very  yll  manned ;  for  they  never  durst  come  within 
muskett  shott  of  us,  having  noe  great  shott  on  shore.  But  when 
we  came  within  muskett  shott  of  the  towne,  we  found  yt  stronger 
then  was  certyfyed  us,  eyther  by  reporte,  or  expectacion :  for  yt 
hath  on  the  lande  syde,  where  we  ment  to  make  our  entraunce, 
strong  walles  and  fortes  of  late  buylte.  And  we  might  also  per- 
ceave  in  the  towne  att  least  3000  men,  who,  with  their  great 
ordenaunce  and  other  their  small  shott,  shott  att  us  and  over  us; 
att  which  tyme  certayne  of  our  men  were  hurte.  To  revenge 
which  our  admyrall  with  a  shott  from  his  shipp  made  to  the  horse- 
men, slewe  one  of  there  horsses  under  them,  and  with  dyvers  of  our 
shott  from  our  shipps  and  pynnisses  hurte  and  slewe  dyvers  of  there 
men.  After  which  we  marched  back  againe,  stayinge  att  least  two 
howers,  expectinge  there  comyng  for  combatt,  but  none  came; 
whereupon  that  afternone  we,  noe  further  proceedinge  againste 
them,  retyred  to  our  shipps  againe.  And  the  next  day,  being  the 
5.  of  May,  our  generall  sayled  towardes  the  south  capes,  Cape  Saker 
and  Cape  St.  Vincent,  where  we  landed  about  800  men,  all  muskett, 
small  shott,  and  pykemen:  meaninge  to  satysfye  his  valyant  mynde 
in  doeinge  some  worthye  exploytes  upon  our  enimyes  lande.  When 
we  had  landed  our  men,  and  in  order,  marching  by  his  direccion  from 
our  landing  towardes  a  forte  called  Avelera,  upon  which  was  a 
flagg,  and  from  which  forte,  when  they  see  us  so  boldly  to  approch 
them,  they  fledd  unto  there  great  forte  or  castle  Cape  Saker,  which 
forte,  called  Avelera,  with  certayne  brass  peces  we  tooke:  which 
with  certayne  of  our  men  was  kept.  All  the  rest  of  our  men 
marched  towardes  the  mayne  forte  or  castle,  the  walles  whereof 
were  esteemed  30  foote  hye,  and  ten  foote  brode.  And  on  the  est, 

CAMD.  SOC.  C 


18  THE  TRUE  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE 

south,  and  west  yt  is  all  a  mayne  rock,  without  passage;  att  least 
30  fawthem  highe,  and  15  brasse  peeces  there  within  planted.  And 
as  we  marched  a  long  by  them,  they  shott  att  us,  but  did  us  noe 
hurte.  And  then  and  there  by  the  comaundement  of  our  generall 
30  muskett  shott  went  and  skyrmished  with  them  in  the  castle, 
and,  when  they  had  contynewed  sometyme  in  skyrmishing  with 
them  and  spente  moste  of  there  powder  and  shott,  they  all  retorned 
to  our  mayne  battle  againe:  having  noe  man  slayne,  but  some  a 
lytle  hurte.  Upon  which  our  generall  somraoned  the  captayne  of 
the  said  castle  to  parly,  comaunding  him  to  yelde  yt  upp,  which  he 
then  utterly  denyed.  Whereupon  our  generall  sent  for  woode  from 
our  shipps  to  sett  on  fyer  th'uttermost  gate.  And  he  him  selfe  to  see 
the  same  acte  performed,  with  great  industry,  carryed  of  the  said 
woode  and  other  provicion  in  person,  and  did  helpe  to  sett  yt  on 
fyer;  whylest  the  vauntgarde  of  our  mayne  battle  skyrmished  with 
them  in  there  faces  on  the  walles.  Duringe  which  tyme  of  our 
feight  with  them  we  had  two  of  our  men  slayne  outright,  and 
dyvers  sore  hurte.  In  which  tyme  the  captayne  of  the  castle  being 
sore  wounded,  and  they  all  within  to  the  number  of  20040  (240  ?) 
wounderfully  daunted  with  our  bolde  enterpryces,  put  out  there 
flagg  of  trusse,  and  yelded :  when  we  entred,  and  fynding  within  the 
said  castle  the  foresaide  number  of  20040  (240  ?)  persons,  our  gene- 
rall most  favorably  lycenbed  them  to  departe. 

The  same  day,  they  of  the  Cape  St.  Vincent,  (being  a  Fryery,) 
and  in  effect  as  stronge  as  the  foresaid  castle  with  another  strong 
forte  nere  unto  yt,  (after  somons  by  our  generall  geven,)  sent  there 
keyes  unto  our  generall ;  them  selves  flying  away  and  leavyng 
behynde  them  dyvers  great  brasse  peces.  And  the  next  day  after, 
being  the  6.  of  May,  we  departed  to  our  shipps,  who  ridd  in  the 
harbor,  under  the  castle ;  leaving  the  said  castle  and  the  other 
fortes  all  on  fyer.  And  in  which  harber  we  lay  without  resystaunce 
of  the  enimye  untyll  the  tenth  day  in  the  mornin-ge,  from  whence 
we  put  out  and  hoisted  sayles  towardes  Castcales,  beinge  aboute  40 
leages  distaunt  from  our  former  harber ;  and  where  we  rode  att 


VOYAGE  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D.  1587.  19 

anker  most  of  that  day  in  contempt  of  the  said  towne  of  Castcales, 
the  castle,  and  eight  of  the  Kinges  gallies.  And  which  towne  and 
castle  shott  att  us,  but  (thanckes  be  to  God,)  we  were  by  his 
providence  allwayes  shelded  from  perell ;  we  lay  att  anker  that  day 
within  seight  of  Lyshborne,  which  ys  the  chefest  cittye  in  all 
Portugall,  and  where  we  tooke  one  carvell,  which  our  generall  sent 
that  afternone  to  a  great  forte  or  castle  called  Sc  Julyans,  where  the 
Marques  de  Santa  Cruses  was  as  leavetenaunt  for  the  Kynge;  willing 
him  to  send  all  such  Ynglyshmen  as  were  captyves  in  the  gallyes 
there,  and  he  wolde  delyver  soe  many  Spanyardes  or  Portugalls  for 
them ;  as  also  to  knowe,  yf  the  Kyng  his  master  did  deter myne  to 
make  warres  this  yere  against  Englande  :  which  yf  he  did,  that  then 
he  was  there  to  waste  him  for  England.  But  the  Marques  sent  him 
this  worde  againe,  that  (as  he  was  a  gentleman,)  there  was  none. 
And  further  sent  this  worde  unto  our  generall,  that  the  Kyng  was 
not  provided  this  yere  ;  when  our  generall  sent  to  knowe  yf  he 
wolde  have  three  yers  warninge.  Yett,  notwithstandinge,  to  knowe 
ho  we  God  worketh  with  his  elect  and  howe  the  enimyes  of  his  truth 
are  not  ashamed  stoutly  to  stande  in  there  arrogancye  and  errors, 
styll  mayntayninge  there  causes  withe  falshoode  and  lyes  ;  but  they 
have  there  rewarde  with  there  master  and  author  thereof :  for  we 
founde  letters  upon  a  Portugall  whome  we  had  then  taken,  and 
which  he  had  wrytten  to  his  frendes,  that  the  kynge  had  made 
proclamacion  in  the  country,  that  he  wolde  to  Englande  this  yere, 
and  wolde  not  leave  one  a  lyve  of  mankynde  above  the  age  of  7 
yeres. 

But,  as  the  hen  doth  gather  together  her  chickens,  noryshinge 
and  defendinge  them  from  the  fury  of  sarpentes,  even  soe  our  good 
God  with  the  wynges  of  his  marcye  (his  mightye  name  therefore  be 
praysed !)  hathe  and  doth  noryshe  and  defend  us,  as  instrumentes  of 
his  truth.  That  night  towardes  evenninge  we  weaed  anker,  and 
from  Castcales  put  out  to  sea,  retorninge  to  our  former  harber  Cape 
Saker ;  where  we  moored  our  shipps,  furnishinge  them  with  freshe 
water  and  ballest,  as  also  refreshinge  our  men  on  shore  for  the  space 


20  THE  TRUE  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE      . 

of  6  dayes.  In  wliicli  tyme  of  our  staye  there  came  a  neeger  to  our 
shipps,  who  was  hastely  pursued  by  Spanyardes  on  horseback, 
makeing  greate  scearch  for  him  on  shore.  And  which  neeger 
beinge  brought  on  boorde  our  generall,  he  certyfied  him  that  there 
was  come  to  Lawgust  [Lagos]  ten  of  the  kynges  gaily es,  unto 
which  place  our  generall  the  next  day  say  led,  beinge  distant  about 
4  leages ;  and  when  we  were  come  soe  nere  them,  soe  as  our  great 
ordenaunce  wolde  reach  them,  we  gave  them  our  brode  sydes,  when 
they  for  rescue  nedd  under  the  rockes :  where,  for  lack  of  water  and 
further  daunger,  we  coulde  not  come  nere  them.  They  also  shott 
att  our  shippes,  but  did  us  noe  harme.  And  as  we  sayled  a  longe 
the  shore,  our .  pynnisses  chasseed  within  there  bayes  there  small 
vessells  and  fysherbotes,  soe  that  they  run  them  selves  on  shore,  and 
sunck  them  selves.  That  night  our  admirall  with  the  rest  of  our 
fleete  put  roomer  *  to  sea,  and  the  next  day  in  the  morning,  beinge 
the  19.  of  May,  put  into  the  same  place  againe  ;  where  we  landed 
about  400  men,  nere  unto  Algaferra,  who  sett  on  fyer  a  fysher 
vyllage,  and  soe  retorned  to  our  shipps  againe. 

We  have  burnt,  sunck,  and  spoyled  a  great  number  of  small 
vessells,  carvells,  and  fysherbotes,  some  loden  with  orees  [oars  ?]  for 
the  kynges  gallyes,  some  with  hoopes,  pypebordes,  fyshernettes  and 
such  lyke  trashe. 

Nowe,  after  all  this  tyme  of  service  againste  the  Kynge  of  Spayne, 
even  att  his  doore  and  under  his  nose,  our  generall  determyning  to 
travell  (to  accomplyshe  his  intent,)  to  the  Ilandes  of  Tercera,  ap- 
pointed Captayne  Parker,  captayne  of  the  flyebote  of  Dunkyrke, 
Captaine  Kyman,  captayne  of  the  French  man,  which  we  brought 
from  Cales,  and  other  3  small  barkes  for  England;  in  whome  was 
sent  all  our  syck,  lame,  and  deszeased  men,  who  on  Monday  the  22 
of  May  parted  from  us.  And  that  night,  about  midnight,  there 
arose  a  great  tempest,  which  contynewed  untyll  Thursday  the  25 ; 
in  which  tempest  we  were  all  sore  tossed,  our  admirall  beinge  in 

*  An  old  nautical  term,  "  To  go  or  put  roomer,"  to  tack  about  before  the  wind.  Per- 
haps derived  from  the  French  remuer. 


VOYAGE  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE, 


great  daunger.  The  next  day,  beinge  Fryday,  the  26.  of  May, 
William  Burrousse,  then  supposed  captayne  of  the  Golden  Lyon, 
seinge  us  all  sore  distressed,  and  understandinge  that  our  generall 
wolde  goe  for  the  ilandes,  he,  without  leave  takeing  of  our  gene- 
rall, put  roomer  for  Englande.  And  soe  we,  havvinge  lost  in  the 
forsaid  tempest  all  our  marchaunt  shipps,  were  left  onely  in  number 
9  sayles,  who  alltog[eth]er  willingly  sayled  towardes  the  said  ilandes 
of  Tercera;  who,  after  16  dayes  spent  att  the  sea,  on  the  8.  day  of 
June,  beinge  Thursday  in  the  forenone,  we  discryed  the  Islande 
Saynte  Michells,  under  whiche  ilande  towardes  night  we  escryed  a 
great  sayle;  which  our  generall  judged  to  be  a  man  of  warr.  And, 
for  that  two  of  our  pynnisses  were  farr  a  starne  our  flette,  he 
comaunded  the  Raynebowe  to  lye  a  lee  and  come  a  stayes;  which 
done,  in  the  morninge  by  day  we  discryed  a  great  sayle,  who  by  our 
judgment  made  towardes  us,  and  we,  havinge  a  prettye  gale  of 
wynde,  with  all  spede  made  towardes  her;  but  by  that  tyme  we 
had  sayled  towardes  her  aboute  one  leage,  we  might  perceave  her  to 
be  a  mighty  shipp,  which  was  then  called  a  carract,  having  out  her 
Portugall  flagg,  a  reade  crosse:  which  she  tooke  in,  and  put  out 
three  or  four  tymes  to  the  end  we  shoulde  discrye  our  selves.  But 
we,  knoweinge  what  she  was,  wolde  put  out  noe  flag  untyll  we  were 
within  shott  of  her,  when  we  hanged  out  flages,  streamers,  and 
pendentes,  that  she  might  be  out  of  dout  to  knowe  who  we  were  : 
which  don,  we  hay  led  her  with  cannon  shott,  and  havinge  shott 
her  thorowe  dyvers  tymes,  she  shott  att  us,  sometymes  att  one, 
sometymes  att  an  other.  Then  we  begun  to  applye  her  whotelye,  our 
flyebote  and  one  of  our  pynnisses  lyinge  thwarte  her  hawsse,  att 
whom  she  shott,  and  threwe  fyer  workes,  but  did  them  noe  hurte  : 
for  that  her  ordenaunce  lay  soe  hye  over  them.  Then  she,  seeinge 
us  redye  to  lay  her  on  boorde,  all  of  our  shippes  applyinge  her  soe 
hotely  and  resolutly  ,  determyned  to  make  shorte  with  her  :  sex  of 
her  men  beinge  slayne,  and  dyvers  sore  hurte,  they  yelded  unto  us  ; 
whome  when  we  boorded,  we  founde  to  be  the  Kynge  of  Spaynes 
owne  shipp  come  from  the  Est  Indyes,  called  by  his  owne  name 


22  THE  TRUE  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE 

Phillipp,  and  the  greatest  shipp  in  all  Portugall,  rychly  loden,  to 
our  happye  joy  and  great  gladnes.  There  were  also  in  her  400 
neegers,  whome  they  had  taken  to  make  slaves  in  Spayne  and 
Portugall,  whome  our  generall  with  the  captaine  and  his  company, 
to  the  number  of  20040,  (240?)  put  into  our  flyebote  to  goe  whether 
they  lyst.  And  further  delt  most  favorably  with  them,  giving  them 
most  lyberally :  and  soe  about  ten  of  the  clock  they  departed  from 
us,  and  as  we  thought  to  the  Hand  Ste  Michells,  and  we  in  lyke 
sorte  made  our  course  for  Englande:  which  fortunate  lande  011 
Sonday,  the  25.  of  June,  before  day,  we  discried,  fallinge  with  the 
ilande  Gyllye,  and  nere  the  rockes.  And  on  Monday  the  26.  we 
arryved  att  Plymouth,  where  we  all,  to  our  great  com  fortes,  gave 
thanckes  to  God  for  our  prosperous  voiage,  safe  retorne,  and  his 
great  benefyttes. 

Whence  theise  benyfyttes  procede  is  rather  to  be  referred  unto 
the  devyne  providence  of  the  Allmightye,  who,  with  the  eternitye 
of  his  power,  ruleeth  the  earth,  then  the  hidden  misterye  of  his  wyll 
to  be  scearched  into.  The  auntient  Romauns  renowmed  for  there 
prowesse  Allmightye  God  hath  heretofore  (beinge  hathen  men) 
plenty  fully  powered  [on]  them  the  benyfyttes  of  his  grace,  as  amongst 
them  Scipio,  amongst  the  Carthaginians  the  valiant  Hanniball, 
amongst  Gretians  Achilles,  and  amongst  the  Trojans  Hector  ;  who, 
being  both  barberous  and  rude  men,  were  taught  by  the  lawes  of 
nature  to  preferr  the  honor  of  there  country  before  the  respect  of 
there  lyves.  And,  as  the  wyse  philosopher  Solon  was  wounte  to 
say,  noe  man  is  borne  for  him  selfe  but  for  his  countryes  cause  ;  soe 
hath  this  faythfull  generall  consyderately  performed  the  office  of  a 
Christian  captaine  in  scourginge  the  enimyes  of  the  truth,  in 
enrychinge  his  country,  in  gevinge  generall  and  evident  example  of 
vertue  to  all  such  as  valiant  courrage  shall  here  after  army  mate  or 
styre  up  to  doe  the  lyke.  There  are  many  bostinge  salivators, 
who,  carpinge  att  shadowes  att  home,  doe  seeke  to  wyn  credytt 
from  laborious  and  venterous  captaynes,  and,  lyke  drones,  repayer 
to  the  hyve  to  suck  the  hony  from  the  paynefull  bees  ;  but  this 


VOYAGE  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D.  1587.  23 

• 

valiant  Captayne,  leavinge  carped  service  to  them  that  seeke  the 
gaynes  thereof,  hath  (to  the  glory e  of  God,  for  that  all  we  doe  must  be 
referred  to  that  sacred  purpose,)  abayted  the  courrage  of  the  prowde 
enimye,  discovered  many  secrett  practyzes  intended  to  his  sacred 
and  swete  prynces,  who  lyke  a  faithfull  mother  norisheth  her 
children,  defendes  them  from  the  bloodye  myndes  of  enimyes,  and, 
lyke  a  carefull  pastoresse,  feedeth  her  shepe  and  defendes  them  from 
the  teeth  of  tearing  wolves,  who  sytt  barking  att  the  mone,  on  the 
mountes  of  Albion,  whose  tounges  the  two-edged  sworde  of  our 
Jehova  I  wyshe  to  cutt  of,  and  lett  his  brasen  rodd  bruse  the 
bones  of  thoise  secrett  wolves,  that  coutch  them  safely  in  the  woodes 
of  Saba,  and  lurcke  in  the  wynter  amongst  the  braunches  of  our 
ceeders,  whiche  Jehova  send  prosperytye  to  his  lytle  England  and 
adde  more  ages  to  Elizabeth. 

FINIS  quod  Ho.  LENG. 


APPENDIX 


OF  LETTERS  AND  EXTRACTS  FROM  STATE  PAPERS  CONNECTED 
WITH  THE  EXPEDITION. 


CONTENTS  OF  APPENDIX. 

No.  PAGE 

I. — Drake's  Agreement  with  the  Merchant  Adventurers          ,;«,.  ,   .          .     26 

II. — A  list  of  the  Merchant  Adventurers  .  .         ,   .  .  ,,         .27 

III. — Instructions  from  the  Council  despatched  after  Drake's  departure  .  .     28 

IV. — Walsingham  to  Stafford.     Countermand  of  the  original  Instructions  .     29 

V. — Sir  F.  Drake  to  Mr.  John  Fox.     Account  of  the  Attack  upon  Cadiz  .     30 

VI. — R.  T.  to  Dr.  Gifford.     Another  relation  of  the  spoiling  of  Cadiz     .  .     34 

VII. — Advices  of  Sir  F.  Drake's  proceedings  before  Cadiz  (sent  out  of  France)    .     35 

VIII. — John  Wrothe  to  Lord  Burghley.    Foreign  opinion  upon  Drake's  movements     38 

IX. — Stafford  to  Walsingham.     Announcement  of  Drake's  success  .  .     38 

X. — Spanish   Correspondence  (taken  in   the  voyage)  relative   to  the  English 

Expedition          .  .  .          <Ji  .  .         1'1'i          .39 

XI. — Drake  to  Master  W.     Touching  his  progress         .^-i     -  -tj '!     'Mr         .     42 
XII. — Lo.  Treasurer  and  Lo.  Comptroller  to  Andreas  de  Loo.     Explanation  of 

the  conduct  of  the  Government  in  reference  to  Drake's  Voyage  .  .     43 

XIII. — Lord  Burghley  to  Andreas  de  Loo.     Disclaiming  Drake's  authority  for  his 

depredations        .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .44 

XIV. — Request  of  the  Merchant  Adventurers  for  an  equitable  share  in  the  Spoil    .     45 
XV. — News  of  Drake  after  the  Attack  before  Cadiz  .  .  .  .46 

XVI. — Letters  to  M.  Giacopo  Mannucci.     State  of  alarm  on  the  Continent,  and 

probable  results  consequent  upon  Drake's  continuing  his  aggressions       .     47 
XVII. — Report  of  Gilbert  Tison.     Grief  of  the  Spaniards  at  the  loss  of  the  Carrack. 

Escape  of  the  West-Indies' fleet  .  .  .  .  .  .48 

XVIII. — Commissioners  (for  ordering  the  contents  of  the  Carrack)  to  the  Council      .     49 

XIX. — Valuation  of  the  Goods  contained  in  the  San  Phillippe        .  .  .50 

XX. — Contents  of  a  Casket  found  in  the  San  Phillippe     .  .  .  .52 

XXI.— The  Partition  of  the  Spoil    .  .....     53 


CAMD.  SOC. 


26  APPENDIX. 


I. — [DRAKE'S  AGREEMENT  WITH  THE  MERCHANT 
ADVENTURERS.] 

[Lansdowne  MS.  56,  fol.  175.] 

Whereas  it  hath  pleased  her  most  Excellent  Matie  to  grant  unto  me,  Sir 
Frauncis  Drake,  knyght,  hir  commission,  bearinge  date  the  fiftenth  day  of 
March  in  the  nyne  and  twenty  yere  of  hir  Mat1es  raigne,  for  a  service  to 
be  don  by  me  the  said  Sir  Frauncis  with  fowre  of  her  Maties  shippes  and  two. 
pynacies ;  and  whereas  Thomas  Cordell,  John  Wattes,  Pawle  Banninge, 
Symon  Boreman,  Hewghe  Ley,  Robert  Flycke  and  their  partners,  mer- 
chaunts  of  London,  have  also  prepared  at  their  own  proper  costes  and 
charges  tenne  merchaunte  ships  and  pinnaces,  also  for  hir  Maties  service ; 
wherefore  I,  the  said  Sir  Frauncis  Drake,  doe  by  virtue  of  my  saide 
commission  covenant,  promisse,  and  graunte  to  and  with  the  said  Thomas 
Cordell,  John  Wattes,  Pawle  Bannynge,  Symond  Boreman,  Hewghe 
Ley,  Roberte  Flycke,  and  their  partners,  for  the  better  performance 
of  the  pretended  service,  to  consorte  with  the  saide  merchauntes 
shippes,  which  I  do  also  receive  under  my  goverment;  and  that  whatsoever 
commoditie  in  goodes,  money,  treasure,  marchaundizes,  or  other  benefitt 
whatsoever  shall  happen  to  be  taken  by  all  or  any  of  the  foresaide  shippes 
or  their  company,  either  by  sea  or  lande,  that  the  same  shalbe  equally 
devided  accordinge  to  their  proporcions  (that  is  to  say),  man  for  man,  and 
tonne  for  tonne,  to  be  devided  at  the  sea  presently  after  the  possession 
therof ;  or  so  sone  as  winde  and  weather  will  permit ;  provided  always,  that 
whatsoever  pillage  shalbe  had  either  by  sea  or  land,  shalbe  devided 
indifferently,  viz. — the  one  half  to  the  company  in  hir  Maties  shippes,  and 
the  other  half  to  the  company  of  the  merchauntes  shippes ;  and  for  the 
better  satisfyinge  of  both  parties,  there  shalbe  meet  men  putt  abord  of 
either  fleet  to  have  speciall  care  thereof ;  and  for  the  performance  herof, 
I,  the  said  Sir  Frauncis  Drake,  have  hereunto  sett  my  hande  and  scale. 
Yeven  the  eightene  day  of  March,  1586,  and  in  the  nyne  and  twentie  yere 


VOYAGE  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D    1587.  27 

of  the  raigne  of  our  soveraigne  ladie  Elizabeth,  by  the  grace  of  God 
Quene  of  England,  Fraunce,  and  Ireland,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c. 
Vera  copia  et  examinata  per  me 

RICH.  MAY,  Not.  Pub. 
(In  dorso)  18  Martij,  1587. 

The  compact  betwixt  Sir  Franc.  Drak  and  the  companye  of  certen 
merchantes  as  cowncill. 


II. — [A  LIST  OF  THE  MERCHANT  ADVENTURERS.] 

[8.  P.  O.  Domestic  Corresp.] 
The  Names  of  the  Suertyes  to  be  bounde  to  her  Matie  for  L  ml  It. 

Thes  are  parteners,      Sr  Francis  Drake,  knyghte. 

and    interested    in      rni  ~,      ,  ,, 

the  prise.  Thomas  Cordell,  mercer. 

Rycharde  Barratte,  mercer. 
Paule  Bannynge,  grocer. 
Heughe  Lee,  grocer. 
William  Garraway,  draper. 
Roberte  Sadler,  habardasher. 
Symon  Boreman,  haberdasher. 
Jhon  Stockes,  fyshemonger. 
Jhon  Wattes,  clothwoorker. 
Edward  Holmden,  grocer. 
Androwe  Bannynge,  grocer. 
Francis  Terrell,  grocer. 
Robarte  Flycke,  draper. 
George  Barnes,  habardasher. 
Rogar  Howe,  habardasher. 
Johne  Jackson,  clotheworker. 
Jeames  Lancastar. 
Robarde  Barrette. 
Anthony  Dassell,  skynner. 

(Indorsed)  31  Oct.  1587. 

The  names  of  the  suerties  to  be  bownde  for  the  50,000"  to  her  Matie. 


28  APPENDIX. 

III. — [INSTRUCTIONS  FROM  THE  COUNCIL  DESPATCHED  AFTER 
DRAKE'S  DEPARTURE.] 

[S.  P.  O.  Domestic  Corresp.] 

After  our  harty  comendations,  Whereas  uppon  sundry  advertisementes 
and  intelligences,  receaved  at  divers  tymes  this  last  winter,  very  provably 
reported  as  well  out  of  Spayn  as  from  other  cuntryes,  of  great  numbers  of 
shippes  and  other  provisions  for  the  sea,  prepared  by  the  said  K.,  with 
intent  (as  it  was  given  out)  to  employ  the  same  in  some  attempt,  ether 
against  this  realme  or  the  realme  of  Ireland  :  Hir  Matie  did  thinke  it  very 
convenient,  both  for  hir  honnour  and  for  necessary  defence,  to  have  some 
strength  of  shipping  at  sea,  to  prevent  or  withstand  such  entreprises  as 
might  be  attempted  against  hir  H.  said  realmes  or  dominions,  to  sett  forth 
to  the  seas  under  your  charge  certayn  of  hir  own  shippes,  with  further 
authority  given  you  to  take  and  calle  into  your  company  as  well  certayn 
shippes  sett  out  by  some  of  the  marchantes  of  the  city  of  London,  as  also 
such  other  shippes  of  this  realme  as  you  should  finde  abroad  at  sea,  and 
to  employ  them  as  you  should  see  cause  for  hir  Maties  service. 

Since  your  departure,  hirMatle  being  otherwise  advertised,  that  nether  the 
said  preparations  were  so  great  as  was  reported,  and  further,  that  they 
are  of  late  dissolved ;  divers  shippes  as  well  of  the  East  cuntryes  as  also  of 
Holland  and  Zeland,  who  had  been  before  stayd  uppon  pretence  to  furnish 
the  said  preparations,  being  discharged  and  licenced  to  return  home ;  a  and 
perceaving  also,  by  some  other  matter  that  hath  proceaded  from  the  said 
K.  of  Spayn  and  his  ministers,  that  he  is  desirous  that  the  unkindenes  and 
jarres  happened  of  late  yeares  between  hir  Matie  and  him  might  be  in 
some  honorable  sort  compounded ;  hir  Matie,  being  for  hir  part  loth  for 
those  considerations  to  exasperate  matters  further  then  they  are,  or  to  give 
cause  to  the  world  to  conceave,  by  anie  thing  that  may  procead  from  hir 
or  anie  of  hir  ministers  or  subiectes,  that  the  present  alteration  between 
the  said  K.  and  hir  is  mainteyned  or  nourished  by  hir,  otherwise  then 
forced  thereunto  for  hir  own  defence,  hath  comanded  us  to  signify  unto 
you  in  hir  name,  that  hir  expresse  will  and  pleasure  is,  you  shall  forbeare 
to  enter  forcibly  into  anie  of  the  said  K's  portes  or  havens,  or  to  offer 

•  The  paragraph  commencing  here  with  the  words  "  and  perceaving"  and  terminating 
with  "  hir  own  defence  "  has  been  specially  marked  in  the  original. 


VOYAGE  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D.  1587.  29 

violence  to  anie  of  his  townes  or  shipping  within  harborough,  or  to  doe 
anie  act  of  hostillity  uppon  the  land.  And  yet,  not  withstanding  this 
direction,  hir  pleasure  is  that  both  you  and  such  of  hir  subjectes  as  serve 
there  under  you  should  doe  your  best  indevour  [as  well  by  force  as  other- 
wise,]* to  gett  into  your  possession  (avoyding  as  myche  as  may  lye  in  you 
the  effusyon  of  Christian  blood,)  such  shipping  of  the  said  King's  or  his. 
subjectes,  as  you  shall  finde  at  seas  :  ether  going  from  thence  to  the  East 
or  West  Indies,  or  returning  from  the  said  Indyes  into  Spayn,  and  such  as 
shall  falle  into  your  handes  to  bring  them  into  this  realme  without  break- 
ing bulke,  untill  her  H.  pleasure  shall  be  further  made  knowen  unto  you 
in  that  behalfe. 

(In  dorso,}  1587,  9  Apr. 

M.  to  Sr  FRA.  DRAKE. 


IV. — [COUNTERMAND  OF  THE  ORIGINAL  INSTRUCTIONS.] 

[S.  P.  O.  For.  Corresp.  France.] 
Walsingham  to  Sir  Ed.  Stafford,  21  April,  1587. 

Sir  Frances  Drake,  as  I  doubt  not  but  you  have  heard,  is  gon  fourth  to 
the  seas,  with  fewer  of  her  Mates  shippes  and  two  pinnaces,  and  betwene 
twenty  and  thirtye  merchauntes  shippes.  His  Commission  is  to  impeach 
the  joyning  together  of  the  K.  of  Spaynes  fleete  out  of  their  severall  portes, 
to  keepe  vittalls  from  them,  to  followe  them,  in  case  they  should  be  come 
forward  towardes  England  or  Ireland,  and  to  cutt  off  as  many  of  them  as 
he  could,  and  impeach  their  landing  ;  as  also  to  set  uppon  such  as  should 
ether  come  out  of  the  West  or  East  Indias  into  Spayne,  or  go  out  of 
Spayne  thether  ;  but  now,  uppon  knowledge  reseavid  that  the  K.  doth 
dissolve  his  preparacions,  havinge  alreadye  dischardged  th'Easterlings, 
there  is  new  order  sent  unto  Sir  Frauncis  Drake  to  take  a  milder  course, 
for  that  he  was  before  particularlye  directed  to  distresse  the  shippes 
within  the  havens  themselves. 


a  The  words  here  included  in  brackets  are  struck  out. 


30  APPENDIX. 


V. — [SiR  FRANCIS  DRAKE'S  OWN  ACCOUNT  OP  THE  ATTACK.] 

[Harl.  MS.  167,  fol.  104,  and  printed  at  the  end  of  Thomas  Greepe's  Exploites  of  Sir 
Fr.  Drake,  a  poem,  4°.  Bl.  L.     London,  1587.] 

To  my  very  lov[inge  friend  Mr.  Jno.  Fo]xe,  preacher,  hast  and  post  hast. 

Mr.  Foxe,  whereas  we  have  had  of  late  [suche  happy  successe]  against 
ye  Spanierds,  I  doe  assure  my  selfe  that  you  have  faithfully  remembred  us 
in  your  good  prayers,  and  therefore  I  have  not  forgotten  briefly  to  make 
you  partaker  of  ye  somme  thearof. 

The  19th  of  April  we  aryved  with  [in]  Gales  roade,  where  we  found 
much  shipping;  but,  among  ye  rest,  32  shippes  of  exceeding  great  bur- 
then, laden,  and  to  be  laden,  with  provision  and  prepared  to  furnishe  ye 
Kinges  navye,  intended  with  all  speed  against  England ;  the  which,  when 
we  had  boarded  and  thearout  furnished  our  shippes  with  such  provision 
as  we  thought  sufficient,  we  burned ;  and,  although  for  ye  space  of  2  dayes 
and  nights  that  we  continewed  thear  we  were  still  endangered,  both  with 
thundering  shott  from  the  to\vne,  and  assaulted  with  the  roaring  canons 
of  12  galleys,  we  yet  sonck  2  of  them  and  one  great  argousey,  and  still 
avoided  them  with  very  smale  hurt  ;  so  that  at  our  departure  we  brought 
away  4  shippes  of  provision,  to  the  great  terror  of  our  enemyes  and 
honor  to  ourselves,  as  it  might  appear  by  a  most  courteous  letter,  written 
and  sent  to  me  wth  a  flagge  of  truice  by  D.  Pedro,  generall  of  ye  galleys. 
But  whereas  it  is  most  certayn  that  the  K.  doth  not  only  make  speedy 
preparation  in  Spaine,  but  likewise  expecteth  a  very  great  fleet  from  the 
Straights  and  divers  other  places  to  joine  with  his  forces  to  envade  Eng- 
lande,  we  purpose  to  sett  aparte  all  feare  of  danger,  and  by  God's  further- 
ance to  proceed  by  all  good  meanes  that  we  can  devise  to  prevent  their 
coming ;  wherefore  I  shall  desier  you  to  continew  a  faithfull  remembrancer 
of  us  in  your  prayers,  that  our  present  service  may  take  that  good  effect 
as  God  may  be  glorified,  his  church  our  Q.  and  contreye  preserved,  and 
the  enemy  of  the  truth  utterly  vanquished,  that  we  may  have  continewall 
peace  in  Israeli.  From  aboord  her  Maties  good  shipp  the  Elizabeth- 
Bonadventure,  in  very  great  hast,  this  27  of  April,  1587. 


VOYAGE  OP  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D.  1587.  31 

Written  by  the  hande  of  your  obedient  sonne  in  the  Lorde,  William 
Spenser,  and  subscribed  with  Sr  Fr.  owne  hand  in  this  sort, 

Your  loving  frend,  and  faithfull  sonne  in  Christ  Jesus, 

FRANCIS  DRAKE. 

[An  addition  written  with  Sir  Francis'  owne  hand.] 

Our  enemyes  are  many,  but  our  Protector  comandeth  ye  whole  world: 
let  us  all  pray  continewally,  and  our  Lorde  Jesus  will  helpe  in  good  tyme 
mercifully. 

Your  ever, 

FR.  DRAKE. 

[  Upon  the  back  of  this  document)  which  is  a  copy  only,  appears  another  in 
the  same  handwriting  with  the  foregoing,  but  slightly  imperfect  at  the 
commencement,  the  first  line  or  ttvo  being  almost  illegible.  It  is  evidently  a 
narrative  of  the  attack  in  the  harbour  of  Cadiz  by  one  of  the  actors  in  the 
a/air,  and  tallies  most  minutely  in  its  detail  with  the  account  of  Robert  Leng.~] 


The  19.  of  April  one  hour  afore  sonne  sett  he  entred  the  harb[our] 

whear  he  was  at  his 
the  towne  with  vj  galleys,  but  the  same  retorned  sone 

In  the  road  thear  were  about  60  shippes  besides  other  small  vessells 
[that]  rode  under  their  forteresses,  whearof  about  20  Fre[nch]  shippes 
fled  to  Porte  Koyall  and  some  Spanierdes  whose  flight  we  could  not  hinder 
by  reason  of  the  schalles  [shallows  ?]. 

At  our  entry  with  our  shott  we  sunck  one  argozey  of  about  1,000 
tonne  that  caryed  30  brasse  peeces  and  was  very  ritchly  laden.  Thear 
were  before  night  about  38  shippes  undertaken,  and  we  victors  of  the 
roade,  for  the  galleys  retired  to  their  forteresses.  Thear  came  presently 
from  S*  Mary  Porte  2  galleys  and  other  2  from  Porte  Royall,  but  in  vayne, 
for  their  chiefest  gaine  was  expence  of  pouder  and  shott. 

Of  20  hulkes  Hollanders  confiscate  to  the  Kinge  whose  goodes  were 
sould  to  his  use  14  were  fyered,  the  other  6  scaped  to  Porte  Eoyal  ;  we 
fyered  a  carrick  belonging  to  the  Marquize  of  Sancta  Grace  of  1,400 


32  APPENDIX. 

tonne.  We  fyred  also  5  great  Biscayns,  whearof  4  weare  lading  and 
takinge  in  of  victuals  to  the  Kinges  use  for  Lisbone,  and  the  fivth,  bey[ng] 
a  shipp  of  1,000  tonne,  was  laden  for  the  Indies  with  iron  spikes,  nayles, 
iron  hoopes,  and  horseshoes. 

Also  3  flyboates  of  300  tonne  laden  with  biscuict,  whearof  one  was  halfe 
unladen  before  in  the  harborow  and  thear  fyered ;  the  other  two  we  tooke 
away  with  us. 

Some  10  barckes  more  laden  with  wyne,  raysins,  figges,  oyle,  wheat,  and 
such  lyke  we  fyered. 

Thear  were  by  supposition  38  barckes  fyered,  sonck,  and  brought  away, 
which  amounted  unto  13,000  tonne  of  shipping.  Thear  ridd  at  Porte 
Royall  in  sight  of  us  by  estimation  above  40  sayle,  beside  those  that  fled 
out  of  Gales  Roade.  During  our  aboade  they  gave  us  small  rest  by  reason 
of  their  shott  from  the  galleys,  forteresses,  and  shoar,  whear  continewally 
they  placed  new  ordinance  at  places  convenient  to  offende ;  which  notwith- 
standinge,  we  continewally  fyered  their  shippes  as  the  flood  came  inn,  to  the 
end  to  be  cleared  of  them  ;  the  sight  of  which  terrible  fyers  were  to  us 
very  plesant,  and  mitigated  the  burthen  of  our  continewall  travayle,  whearin 
we  were  busied  for  2  nights  and  one  day  in  dischardging,  fyering,  and 
lading  of  provisions],  with  reservation  for  good,  laudable,  and  guardable 
defence  of  the  ennemy. 

It  pleased  God  by  the  general's  great  care  and  paynes  day  and  night  to 
finish  this  happy  action  in  her  Mat1es  service  in  one  day  and  2  n[ights], 
and  came  out  againe  the  Fryday  in  the  morning  without  the  loss  of  any 
one  man  at  the  action,  or  any  hurte  but  only  the  master  gunner  of  the 
Golden  Lyon,  whose  legge  was  broken  with  a  great  peece  from  the  towne ; 
but  the  man  like  to  doe  well,  God  be  thancked. 

In  a  small  carvell  that  was  taken  the  night  before  were  5  of  our  men 
without  the  generall's  knowledge,  because  he  hasted  the  enterprize  with  all 
expedition,  which  was  very  needful,  because  the  sonne  was  not  above  one 
houre  high  at  our  approach.  This  carvell  beyng  far  asterne  came  in  very 
late,  so  as  the  galleys  intercepted  her  with  much  shott  and  many  musketts, 
but  they  would  never  strike,  and  so  was  taken,  which  was  all  the  losse  that 
we  sustayned. 

Tenne  galleys  came  forth  after  us,  but  as  to  make  sport  with  their 
ordinance ;  at  length  the  winde  skanted,  and  we  cast  about  for  the  shoare, 


VOYAGE  OP  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D.  1587.  33 

and  came  to  ankor  within  one  league  of  Gales,  whear  the  gallyes  suffered 
us  to  ryde  quietly.  Thre  of  those  galleys  after  some  sporte  departed  the 
same  day  to  Sfc  Lucar  to  fetch  other  thre  galleys  and  one  galliace  that 
were  thear,  as  we  understood,  by  advertisement  of  some  of  our  prisoners. 
There  were  also  3  flybotes  at  Malega  laden  with  bread  and  bound  for 
Gales,  and  so  for  Lisbone,  we  understand  of  great  provision  and  forces, 
provided  within  the  straights  ;  but  we  doubt  not  but  God,  as  he  has  given 
us  this  happy  victory  to  the  daunting  of  the  enemy,  will  also  blesse  this 
armye,  and  thearwith  dayly  cutt  theyr  forces  shorter,  fo  his  great  annoy 
and  to  the  honor  of  our  Prince  and  contry,  which  God  for  ever  continew, 

We  have  now  tryed  by  experience  the  galleys'  fight,  and  I  assure  you 
that  her  Matie8  4  shippes  will  make  no  accompt  of  20  of  them,  in  cace  they 
might  be  alone  and  not  driven  to  guard  others. 

Thear  were  never  galleys  that  had  more  fitte  place  for  their  advantage 
in  fight,  for,  upon  the  shot  that  they  receaved,  they  had  present  succour 
from  the  towne,  which  the[y]  used  sundry  tymes ;  we  riding  in  a  narrow 
gutt,  the  place  yealding  no  better,  in  that  we  were  driven  to  mainteyn  the 
fight  untill  we  had  fyered  their  shippes,  which  could  not  be  conveniently 
done  but  upon  the  flood,  for  they  might  drive  cleane  [off.] 

We  rest  victualed  with  bread  and  drinck  for  6  monthes  in  our  shippes, 
and  have  besides  twoe  flyeboates  full  laden  with  bread  sufficient  for  a  good 
army  for  thre  monthes. 

We  all  remayn  in  great  love  with  our  generall  and  in  unitye  throughout 
the  whole  fleet. 

It  may  seem  strange  or  rather  miraculous  that  so  great  an  exploict 
shold  be  performed  with  so  small  losse ;  the  place  to  endomadge  us  beyng 
so  convenient,  and  their  force  so  great,  as  appeared,  from  whom  were  shot 
at  us  at  the  least  200  culverine  and  canon  shott;  but  in  this  as  in  all 
others  our  actions  heartofore,  though  dangerously  attempted  yet  happely 
performed,  our  good  God  hath  and  dayly  doth  make  his  infinite  power 
manifest  to  all  papistes  apparantly,  and  his  name  be  by  us  his  servants 
continewally  honored. 


GAMD.  SOC. 


34  APPENDIX. 

VI. — [ANOTHER  KELATION  OF  THE  SPOILING  OF  CADIZ.] 

[Lansd.  MS.  96,  Art.  24.] 

Good  cosen  Gifford,  lo  here  a  full  amendes  that  I  wrote  nott  newes  to 
yowe  but  to  Dr  Stillinges  in  my  other ;  after  whiche  3  houres,  I  send  these 
partyculers ;  for  I  wrote  onely  to  him  in  generall,  that  Draecke  had  played 
his  pagent,  and  retorned  home :  here  the  maner  howe. 

The  29.  of  Aprill  last  he  discov[er]ed  him  selfe  before  Calz  in  Spayne, 
where,  the  wynde  and  wether  failinge  him,  as  God  would,  he  could  nott  in  twoe 
dayes  after  enter  the  ry ver,  but  upon  Saterday  he  did :  in  this  meane  tyme 
they  prepared  ther  selfes,  planted  artilerye  upon  ther  bridge,  and  furnyshed 
ther  gallies.  The  marchants  strangers,  beinge  very  many  in  numbre, 
abandoned  all  ther  shipps,  so  as  22  of  them  wer  sonke  and  takinge  with- 
oute  any  resistance,  whereof  he  caryed  onely e  away  withe  him  vj.  whiche 
he  spoyled  upon  the  seas,  and  after  sonke  them  also ;  his  spoyle  he  gott  is 
small,  or  nothinge  woorthe  to  England,  greate  losse  to  the  awnners,  whiche 
were  all  Spaynerdes  and  Italy ans,  of  Venis,  Luca,  Florenteze,  Genua,  save 
one  shipp  of  a  Frenchman's  woorthe  some  viij  or  10,000  A,  the  whole  losse 
in  generall  (for  Don  Diego,  who  wrote  the  newes,  wrote  also  the  particu- 
lers),  dothe  not  surmount  to  above  170,000  A;  whereof  the  Kinges  parte 
is  leste  of  all,  not  vijm,  A  in  vitailles,  for  gallies  he  lost  none,  but  Don 
Marquis  del  Ste  Cruce  lost  his  owne  princely  barke,  estemed  at  the  valewe 
of  18,000  A,  whiche  warmeth  him,  who,  for  feare  of  lossinge  his  honor 
before,  well  [was?]  always  hinginge  backe  frome  inedlinge  or  matchinge 
withe  Englishe  pirates.  The  rest  be  most  of  it  the  said  4  states  of  Italics, 
who  vowethe  and  swearethe  the  robberye  and  arrest  of  all  Englishe  shipps 
they  can  come  by  in  Italy  or  els  wher:  this,  cominge  upon  the  necke  of 
the  infamye  of  murderinge  the  Scottishe  Quene,  will  hasten  hir  ruyne  no 
doute.  Sure  all  reporte  they  fought  most  valyantly,  withe  what  losse 
onlye  them  selfes  knowe ;  but  the  fight  was  reasonable  longe,  and  God  gave 
to  the  gaUies  duringe  a  marvelouse  calme,  to  ther  great  advantage  and  the 
ennymies  spoyll,  yet  was  it  nott  noted  that  any  of  Draeckes  shipps  were  sonke 
presentlye,  thouge  most  of  them  banged  vylye,  and  no  doute  many  of  ther 
men  slayne  and  hurte.  But  when  Draecke  see  ther  pretence  prevented  and 
provyded  for,  and  the  towne  forewarned  of  ther  comynge,  he  perceyved 
they  had  had  advertissement,  and  so  retyred.  Ther  pretence  to  have  taken 


VOYAGE  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D.  1587.  35 

that  have  ( sic)  ther,  and  so  to  have  in  those  strayttes  joyned  with  Mores, 
Infydells,  and  other,  to  have  all  traffycke  frpme  Spaine,  ether  from  the 
Indyans,  or  from  Mare  Mediterranean,  a  dyvelshe  device,  yf  it  had  taken 
successe.  Here  Waid  and  the  Embassadour  swearethe,  that  some  of  the 
pryvie  counsell  at  home  be  trayters,  and  bewrayed  the  mater,  and  so 
have  overthrowen  the  realme.  God  be  praysed,  he  spedd  no  better;  ether 
this  or  nothing  will  maike  seeke  revenge.  These  newes  beinge  so  trewe, 
so  particular,  and  so  freshe,  I  doute  nott  but  I  have  maid  yowe  amendes, 
good  cosen;  yea,  I  suppose  as  yett  yowre  pinces  (sic)  ther  have  not  these 
particulers,  and  therefore  use  them  as  yowrs,  but  rede  them  not  in  the 
Hall,  tyll  Mr  D.  Styllinges  have  redde  his,  whiche  be  onely  but  3  houres 
older.  Adieu,  once  again,  good  cosen ;  comend  me  most  effectually  to  yowre 
mother  and  syster,  I  trust  all  thre  my  frendes,  this  Corpus  Christi  even. 

Your  cosen, 

R.  T.a 
(Addressed,)  A.  Monsr, 

Monsr  Docter  Giffort, 

Au  semynarie  des  Anglois, 
Reme. 


VII. — [ADVICES  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE'S  PROCEEDINGS 
BEFORE  CADIZ  (SENT  OUT  OF  FRANCE).] 

[S.  P.  O.  For.  Corresp.  France.] 

Advis  de  ce  qui  est  passe  a  Calez,  en  la  conte  d'Andalowste:  farmee  d1  Angle- 
terre,  commandee  par  Francois  Dracq,  y  estant  arrive  le  xxixe  jour 
du  moys  d'Apvril,*1587. 

Le  Mecredy  29  Apvril,  sur  les  cinq  heures  du  soir,  1'armee  d'Angleterre 
feust  descouverte,  venant  droict  a  Caliz,  ou  Don  Pedro  de  Acugna  estoit 
avec  sept  galleres:  Tun  desquelles  il  envoya  pour  recognoistre  quelz 
vaisseaulx  ce  pouvoient  estre,  et  ladite  gallere  sestant  approchee  a  la 
portee  du  canon  rut  tire  par  les  Anglois,  ce  qui  la  feit  retourner  dans  le 
port,  a  quoy  Ton  cogneust  que  c'estoit  ennemis.  L'alarme  se  donna 
incontinent  par  toute  la  ville,  qui  se  mit  ez  arrnes,  faisant  retirer  dans  la 

8  Query  Robert  Throckmorton  ?  The  families  of  Gifford  and  Throckmorton  were 
allied  by  marriage. 


36  APPENDIX. 

forteresse  les  femmes  et  toutes  personnes  in[capables]  a  la  deffendre,  et 
pour  la  confusion  a  quoy  ils  se  trouverent,  vingt  sept  femmes  et  enfans  se 
trouverent  estouffez  en  la  presse,  et  a  1'entree  de  ladite  forteresse. 

Le  gouverneur  et  les  principaulx  de  la  ville  meirent  incontinent  le  meilleur 
nombre  de  les  gens  aux  advenues  les  plus  dangereuses,  et  ou  1'ennemy  pour- 
roit  plustost  desembarquer :  et  pendant  que  chacun  se  mettoit  ez  armes  dans 
ladite  ville,  fust  despesche"  au  Due  de  Medina  Sidonia  a  St.  Lucar,  et  a 
toutes  les  villes  et  lieux  circonvoisins,  pour  leur  demander  secours.  Ce 
pendant  ung  nombre  defl  gens  a  cheval  et  de  pied  feirent  ung  -  corps  de 
garde  au  pont,  le  lieu  le  plus  commode  pour  desembarquer :  autre  nombre 
fut  envoye  pour  empescher  que  1'ennemy  ne  rompit  ung  pont  par  lequel 
debvoit  entrer  le  secours.  Les  ennemys,  estans  entrez  dans  le  porty 
commencerent  a  mettre  a  fondz  tous  les  navires  qui  se  trouverrent  devant 
eulx ;  entre  autres  ung  grand  navire  Genevoye  charge  de  marchandise, 
fort  riche,  cinq  autres  d'Espaigne  chargez  et  appareillez  pour  aller  aux 
Indes,  et  ung  grand  gallion  Biscain  du  port  de  700  tonneaulx ;  et  tous 
lesditz  vaisseaulx  se  perderent ;  car  1'ennemy  mettoit  le  feu  a  tous,  apres  en 
avoit  tire  ce  que  bon  luy  sembloit. 

A  1'encontre  de  ladite  arme"e  fust  prise  dans  le  port  par  une  gallere  une 
barque,  ou  estoient  quatre  ou  cinq  Anglois,  desquelz  feust  sceu  que  ladite 
armee  estoit  venue  en  tierze  jours  d'Angleterre  a  Caliz,  avec  deliberacion 
de  saccager  la  ville.  Don  Pedro  da  Acugna  ce  pendant  faisoit  tout  le 
debvoir  avec  ses  galleres  d'endomager  1'ennemy,  1'artillerye  du  quel,  estant 
de  plus  grande  ported  que  celle  des  galleres,  les  contraignit  de  se  retirer. 

Toute  la  nuict  se  passa  en  grande  trouble  et  confusion  dans  la  ville,  et 
1'ennemy  ayant  trouve  lesdites  galleres  dans  le  port,  et  voyant  la  resist- 
ance que  Ton  se  preparoit  de  luy  fere,  ne  luy  fit  aucun  effort  de  mettre 
gens  a  terre ;  et  prins  pour  meilleure  party  saccager  et  brusler  les  vais- 
seaulx, qui  peut  aborder,  en  quoy  Dieu  fit  une  grande  grace  a  ce  peuple, 
car  la  peur  et  la  confusion  1'avoit  laisse  merveillesement  troubled 

Les  villes  et  lieux  circonvoisins  toute  la  nuict  furent  marches  leur 
secours,  et  une  partie  y  entra  sur  la  dianne,  et  le  reste  sy  acheminant  et  y 
entrant  d'heure  en  heure. 

Lejeudy,  le  jour  estant  venu,  les  galleres  se  meirent  autre  fois  en  debvoir 
d'attacquer  1'ennemy,  auquel  demeura  tant  d'avantage  pour  la  quantite  et 
force  de  son  artillerye,  que  les  galleres  feurent  contrainctes  de  se  retirer. 


VOYAGE  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE)  A.D.  1587.  37 

L'ennemy  envoya  force  barque  pour  mettre  le  feu  aux  vaisseaulx,  qu'il 
pouvoit  aborder  ung  grand  gallion  du  Marquis  de  Ste  Croix,  du  port  de 
800  tonneaux,  charge*  de  vins,  et  fut  aborde  par  1'ennemi  cinq  autres 
vaisseaulx  Biscains,  six  ou  sept  Turques,  chargees  en  partie  de  munitions 
de  guerre  et  victuailles,  et  tous  feurent  saccagez;  puys  apres  1'ennemy 
mit  le  feu  dedans. 

Le  dit  jeudy,  au  matin,  1'ennemi  feyt  contenance  de  voulloir  entre- 
prendre  de  rompre  le  pont,  par  lequel  il  voyoit  entrer  le  secours ;  toutes 
fois  voyant  deux  galleres,  et  quelques  vaisseaulx  ordonnez  pour  le  deffen- 
dre,  ne  fit  aucun  effort. 

Sur  le  midy  Tarmac  se  mit  en  tresbon  ordre,  et  montrerent  &  leur 
contenance  voulloir  fere  a  la  voille:  mais  le  vent  ne  le  servit  pas,  et  sur- 
gireit ;  autres  fois  cependant  1'artillerye  des  galleres  et  de  la  forteresse  ne 
cessa  de  tirer  pour  endommager ;  mais  la  scienne  portait  trop  d'avantage  a 
1'autre,  de  sorte  qu'il  n'en  fut  aucunement  offence,  et  fit  tousjours  retirer 
les  galleres. 

Le  jeudy,  en  tout  le  jour,  entrerent  dans  Caliz  trois  mil  hommes  de  pied 
de  differendz  endroictz,  et  trois  cens  chevaulx ;  la  plus  grande  partie 
estans  conduictz  par  le  Due  de  Medina  Sidonia,  qui  entra  sur  le  midy,  et 
la  ville  fut  asseure".  La  nuict  estant  leve"e,  les  gardes  feurent  assisse"s  et 
renforcees,  nonobstant  que  Ton  cogneust  bien  que  1'ennemy  se  voulloit 
retirer ;  et  sur  le  minuit  estant  leve"  ung  vent  de  terre  1'arme'e  se  feit  &  la 
voille  les  galeres,  en  suiverent.  Et,  &  la  mesme  heure,  le  Due  de  Medina 
Sidonia  depescha  ung  basteau  leger  pour  suivre  ladite  armee,  jusques  &  ce 
que  Ton  peut  tirer  certitude  de  la  routte  que  Ten  prenoit,  qui  est  ce  qui 
c'est  passe  jusques  au  vendredy  matin  premier  jour  de  May. 

L'on  estime  qu'il  peut  emporter  deux  mil  neuf  cens  pippes  de  vins,  dix 
mil  quintaulx  de  buiscuitz,  dix  mil  charges  de  froment,  et  quelque  quan- 
tite  d'autres  victuailles,  et  munitions  de  guerre  ;  grand  nombre  d'armes  et 
d'artillerye,  qu'il  a  tire"  de  dix  neuf  vaisseaulx,  qu'il  a  brusl£  dans  le  port. 

Aucuns  estiment  le  dommage,  que  a  faict  ladite  arme'e,  importer  de  trois 
ou  quatre  cens  mil  escuz ;  autres  disent  beaucoup  davantage,  ce  qui  ne  se 
peut  encores  estimer  en  si  peu  de  temps :  Ton  presume  que  ladite  armee 
prendra  la  routte  des  Isles  de  Carrie,  la  Madere,  ou  la  Tirsera,  et  qu'elle  y 
fera  tout  1'effort  et  dommage  qu'il  pourra  d'en  .  .  .  chercher  les  flottes  qui 
viennent  des  Indes,  sur  lesquelz  Drac  droict  avoir  son  principal  desseing. 


38  APPENDIX. 

Eelladon  des  Navires  de  VArmee  de  Francois  Dracq. 

Deux  cappitaines  grandz  vaisseaulx,  et  fort  bien  faictz  pour  la  guerre  ; 
chacun  du  port  de  500  tonneaulx  ou  environ. 

Deux  amirailles  de  la  mesme  forme  et  port  que  les  deux  premiers. 

Ung  grand  navire  de  la  mesme  sorte,  du  port  de  400  tonneaux. 

Deux  gallions  fort  bien  faictz  pour  la  guerre,  du  port  de  200  tonneaulx. 

Sept  navires  de  150  tonneaulx,  a  peu  pres  tous  bien  arme's,  et  pourveus 
de  fort  bonne  artillerie. 

Treize  fregottes,  fort  belles,  du  port  de  50  tonneaulx  ou  environs. 

Les  grandz  navires  maynant  de  service  pour  chacun  deux  ou  trois  bar- 
ques, fort  legers,  pour  desembarquer  30  ou  40  personnes  k  chacune  fois. 

Qui  sont  en  tout  vingt  sept  vaisseaulx,  sans  les  barques  sur  lesquelles 
deux  Anglois  pris  prissoniers  ont  diet  ny  avoir  pas  davantage  de  iiijm 
hommes,  compris  les  mariniers. 


VIII. — [FOREIGN  OPINION  UPON  DRAKE'S  MOVEMENTS.] 

[S.  P.  O.  For.  Corresp.  Venice.] 
'Mr.  John  Wrothe  to  Lord  BurgUey,  dated  Venice,  May  7,  1587. 

The  settinge  oute  of  Sir  Francesse  Dracke  to  the  sea  is  marvelouslie 
aproved  in  these  parts,  and  affirmed  to  bee  the  onelie  meanes  of  hinderinge 
the  prosperouse  successes  of  the  Spaniard's  attempts ;  the  whiche  is  onelie 
maintained  with  the  richesse  and  trade  of  the  Indies,  the  whiche  if  her 
M.  cann  finde  meanes  to  intercepte  or  lett,  then  no  doute  the  Spaniarde 
will  be  constrained  to  come  to  a  verie  reasonable  compositione. 


IX. — [ANNOUNCEMENT  OF  DRAKE'S  SUCCESS.] 

[S.  P.  O.  For.  Corresp.  France.] 
Sr  Ed.  Stafford  to  Walsingham,  May  17,  1587. 

There  is  a  couriar  come  hether  yesternight  out  of  Spayne  with  newes 
of  Sr  Francis  Drake's  successe,  which  althoughe  I  thinke  you  have 
allredie,  yet  woolde  I  not  leave  to  write  ytt,  as  we  heare  ytt  heere. 


VOYAGE  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D.  1587.  39 

Theie  write  that  he  hathe  beene  in  the  baie  of  Gales,  where  he  hathe 
sounke  and  carried  awaie  twoe  and  twentie  shippes ;  that  he  had  a  great 
fight  for  the  winning  of  the  bridge  and  the  towne,  and  that  he  verie 
valiantly  assailed  ytt,  and  verie  hardly  missed  ytt,  and  that  nowe  he  is 
retyred  backe  to  the  Cape.  More,  itt  is  said,  that  the  Marquis  of  Ste 
Crux  is  at  Lisbone,  where  is  a  preparation  of  great  forces,  and  that  he 
will  be  readie  to  come  forthe  the  eleventhe  of  the  next  monethe. 


X. — [TRANSLATIONS  OF  SUNDRY  CORRESPONDENCE  TAKEN  IN 
THE  VOYAGE,  RELATING  TO  THE  ENGLISH  EXPEDITION.] 

[Lansdowne  MS.  53,  fol.  21  &c.] 

Peter  Arnaulte  in  Antwarpe  the  xxvih  of  Marche,  1587,  unto  afreere  in 
Civile  (Seville). 

In  Englande  there  be  many  shippes  made  readie,  as  also  in  Denmarke, 
and  all  for  the  warres  in  Spaine ;  of  their  successe  the  tyme  will  give  us 
knowledge ;  yf  you  do  upon  any  occasion  sell  any  comodities  for  time,  let 
the  prise  be  raised  muche  more  then  for  readie  money  ;  for  that  the 
gallions  are  subiecte  to  mysfortune,  and  yf  they  shoulde  miscarye  with 
their  golde,  (which  God  forbidde!)  we  should  hardly  recover  that  which  is 
owing  us,  &c. 

The  said  Peter  Arnaulte  the  xxth  of  Apr  ill,  1587,  unto  the  aforesaid. 

That  which  doth  give  us  discontent  is,  that  it  is  certaynely  knowne 
that  there  are  gone  many  shipps  of  warre  out  of  Englande,  and  in  lyke 
manner  from  Hollande  and  Zealande,  being  (as  they  say)  above  60  sayles ; 
yt  is  feared  they  are  gone  to  meete  the  fleete  which  is  looked  for  from  the 
Indies ;  the  which,  bringing  so  great  ritches  as  they  doe,  yt  must  needes 
encourage  theym  greatly  to  sett  upon  theym;  which  God  forbidde  !  And 
it  is  the  more  to  be  feared  and  suspected,  for  that  there  dothe  not  appeare 
upon  all  the  coast  of  France  or  England  any  shippes  of  warre;  although 
yt  be  certainly  knowne  that  there  are  many  gone  fourth.  God  guide  all, 
and  give  us  peace  and  bread,  of  the  which  there  is  great  want. 


40  APPENDIX. 

Francisco  de  Benito  de  Maiora,  in  the  port  St.  Mary,  the  xxixth  of  Aprill, 
at  nym  of  the  clock  at  night,  unto  the  President  and  others  the  Kinges 
Officers  of  the  Contractacion  House  of  the  Indies  in  Civile  (Seville). 

The  procuringe  of  the  remeadie  of  this  towne  and  gevinge  advise  to 
Shearies  and  S*  Lucar,  of  the  confusion  wherein  the  English  armye  hath 
put  us,  hath  bene  cause  that  this  poste  departed  not  three  houres  sooner, 
as  otherwise  he  might  have  done.  That  which  passeth  is,  about  fower  of 
the  clock  we  hearde  a  great  noise  of  ordynaunce  in  the  bay,  and  sawe 
many  sayles  of  shippes  entering  in.  I  wolde  have  gone  to  have  seene 
what  it  was,  but  within  two  houres,  which  might  be  about  sixe  of  the 
clock,  there  came  in  hither  the  Galliota,  which  brought  tenne  men  verie 
soare  hurt.  The  people  of  this  towne  are  in  armes ;  there  are  in  the  baye 
two  or  three  shippes  sett  on  fire,  but  what  they  are  we  know  not ;  this  is 
all  that  as  yet  we  can  learne, 

The  President  aforesaid,  Antonio  de  Guevarra,  and  Ochoa  de  Vigenca,  in 
Civile,  the  last  of  Aprill,  to  the  Marques  of  Aimounte,  in  Leape. 

Presently  there  came  a  post  from  the  Port  S*  Mary  with  a  letter,  the 
coppie  whereof  goeth  herewith,  by  the  whiche  your  honnour  may  under- 
stande,  ther  remayned  in  the  Bay  of  Cadix  an  Englishe  armye,  beinge  40 
great  shippes,  shootinge  to  the  cittie,  and  burning  shippes  &c. :  yt  hath 
beene  thought  good  to  lett  your  honour  understand  thereof,  to  th'ende  yf 
yow  shall  thinke  good  to  seeke  prevencion;  to  the  which  effecte  we  dis- 
patched this  post.  It  doth  importe  verie  muche  the  Kinges  service,  that 
this  advise  be  given  to  John  Martiniz  de  Recalde,  which  is  at  the  Cape 
with  certayne  shippes  of  warre :  and  therefore  yt  is  convenient,  it  please 
yow,  to  dispatche  a  barke  presently  with  a  coppie  of  this  letter,  and  an 
other  from  your  honour,  that  he  may  repaire  to  Lixbone  ;  and  in  the 
barke  let  there  goe  a  man  sufficient  to  delyver  him  the  said  dispatches,  in 
anie  place  where  he  maie  fynde  him,  and  what  in  this  shalbe  done,  it  may 
please  your  honour  to  advertize  us. 

The  Marques  of  Aimonte,  in  Leape,  the  1st  of  May,  1587,  unto  John  Marti- 
nez de  Recalde ;  with  the  coppies  of  the  aforesaid  letters,  to  be  delivered 
him  at  sea,  where  he  may  befounde. 

At  the  present  wryting  hereof,  I  receaved  a  letter  from  the  president 


VOYAGE  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D.  1587.         41 

and  other  the  Kinges  Maties  officers  of  the  Contractacion  House  of  the  Indies 
in  Civile,  the  coppie  whereof  goethe  herewith ;  as  also  the  coppie  of  an 
other  letter  wrytten  unto  them  from  the  Port  S*  Mary,  and  for  that  it  is 
convenient  for  the  Kinges  service  that  your  woorship  should  have  advise 
therof,  to  th'end  you  might  repayre  with  your  shippes  to  Lixbone.  I  wryte 
this  that  there  takinge  councell  of  the  Cardynall,  and  the  Marques  of  Sta 
Cruse,  yow  may  repaire  to  that  which  maie  be  most  for  the  Kinges  service ; 
and  onlie  to  that  effecte  I  did  comaunde  to  dispatch  this  barque  from 
Aimonte. 

Gregorio  Gomiz,  gallego  in  Lixbone,  the  ixth  of  Maie >  1587,  unto  Domingo 
Martinis,  in  Anger. 

The  newes  which  I  have  to  advertize  your  woorship  of  is,  that,  as  it  is 
comonly  reported,  there  are  fower  fleetes  of  shippes  gone  out  of  Englande ; 
of  the  which  one  beinge  of  xxviij  verie  great  shippes,  xvij  barkes,  and 
one  great  galliassa,  verie  well  appointed  with  ordenance,  arryved  in  the 
Bay  of  Cadiz,  where  they  pretended  to  have  landed  and  sacked  the  cittie ; 
but  (as  God  wolde)  there  weare  tenne  gallies  that  defended  them,  which 
th'enemy  seeing,  he  ancored  hard  by  the  shipps  he  founde  in  the  baye, 
beinge  aboute  xxix  sayles ;  and  amongst  theym  Don  Farnando  his  shippe, 
which  came  from  th'Indies,  bought  by  the  Marques  de  S1*  Cruse ;  and  of 
th'aforesaid  nomber  they  caryed  with  them  two  verie  great  shippes,  with 
above  1,500  pypes  of  wyne  and  4,000  quintalles  of  biskett,  and  burned 
the  rest.  It  is  said  they  indamaged  the  K.  above  fyve  hundrethe  thow- 
sand  duckettes,  in  4,000  pypes  of  wines,  20,000  kintalles  of  byskett, 
30,000  hannegas  a  of  wheate  and  other  provicions,  which  they  burned  and 
destroyed  ;  and  more,  they  burned  other  two  shippes,  which  weare  laden 
for  Brasill.  Their  fortune  was  so  good,  that  the  time  served  them  at 
their  pleasure  to  go  into  the  bay  and  fourth  againe;  but  whither  they 
went  from  hence  yt  is  not  knowne.  I  wishe  you  to  looke  well  to  your- 
selves in  that  islande,  lest  they  shoulde  pretend  to  goe  thither.  As  yet  we 
have  none  order  from  Madrild  touchinge  this  matter ;  I  knowe  not  whether 
there  shall  go  any  shippes  of  warre  for  that  yslande  or  noe;  God  healpe 

a  Hannega  or  rather  fanega,  a  Spanish  measure  of  corn  weighing  about  Icwt.  or  some- 
what more  than  an  English  bushel, 

CAMD.  SOC.  F 


42  APPENDIX. 

us  !  for  we  are  in  great  daunger  venturinge  by  sea.  Trulie  I  am  in 
great  feare  of  the  shippe  that  did  wynter  in  the  Indies,  for  that  I  have  in 
her  a  thowsand  duckettes  adventure ,'  God  dely ver  her  from  her  enemyes ! 
I  have  not  assured  any  parte  thereof,  and  at  this  present  I  do  not  fynde 
that  will  assure  yt  at  any  prize. 


XL — [LETTER  OF  DRAKE  TOUCHING  HIS  PROGRESS.] 

[Printed  in  "  Newes  out  of  Spain/'  Bl.  L.  4°  1587,  in  the  Grenville  Collection.] 

Maister  W.a  you  shal  understand  that,  since  the  departure  of  Captaine 
Crosse,  we  have  continued  about  Cape  Saker,  where  we  landed,  and  the 
better  to  have  the  benefite  of  the  water,  as  also  to  ride  in  harborough  at 
our  pleasure,  we  assaulted  the  same  castle  and  three  other  strong  holdes, 
which  we  tooke,  some  by  force  and  some  by  submission. 

"We  have  taken,  at  severall  times,  of  shipping,  barkes,  and  carvels 
above  an  hundreth,  laden  with  hoopes,  gallyoares,  pipe  staves,  timber, 
and  other  provisions  of  the  King  of  Spaines,  for  the  furnishing  of  his 
forces  intended  against  England,  which  we  burned,  and  have  consumed  all 
the  fisher  boates  and  nettes  thereaboutes,  to  their  great  hinderance. 

Thence  we  came  before  the  haven  of  Lishbon,  ancouring  neere  unto 
Cast  Gales,  where  the  Marques  of  S.  Cruse  was  with  his  gallies,  and 
seeing  us  chase  his  ships  ashore,  to  take  and  carrie  away  his  barkes  and 
carvels,  was  content  to  suffer  us  there  quietlie  to  tarrie  and  likewise  to 
depart,  and  never  charged  us  with  one  cannon  shot. 

Thus,  for  want  of  time,  I  leave  the  discourse  of  everie  particular  event 
unto  Captaine  Parker,  who  hath  beene  an  eie  witnesse  and  an  actor  in  all 
our  services  past.  From  Cape  Saker  abourd  hir  Maiesties  good  shippe 
the  Elizabetha-Bonaventure,  the  21.  of  May,  1587. 

Your  loving  friend, 

Fr.  DRAKE. 

a  Walsingham? 


VOYAGE  OP  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D.  1087.  43 

XII. — [EXPLANATION  OF  THE  CONDUCT  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT 
IN  REFERENCE  TO  DRAKE'S  VOYAGE.] 

[S.  P.  O.  For.  Corresp.  Flanders.] 

Extract  from  Letter  to  Andreas  de  Loo,  signed  by  the  Lo.  Treasurer  and 
Mr.  Comptroller,  14  June,  1587.a 

And  whereas  yt  may  be  objected,  that  the  employment  of  Sir  Francis 
Drake  upon  the  cost  of  Spaine  hath  moved  the  Duke  [of  Parma],  (upon 
like  jealosie  conceaved  thereby  of  the  soundnes  of  her  Mates  disposition  to 
the  said  peace,)  to  proceed  as  he  doth ;  yt  may  be  answeared,  and  that  both 
with  honor  and  truth,  that  her  Matie  hearing  sondrie  waies,  espetially  by 
intercepting  of  divers  Spanish  letters,  which  are  extant  and  to  bee  seen, 
that  the  King  of  Spaine  had  prepared  a  great  navie  to  sea,  with  a  full 
determination  to  have  assayled  this  realme  and  the  realme  of  Ireland, 
could  do  no  lesse  but  to  use  all  meanes  to  impeach  the  same  by  keping  the 
said  preparacion,  being  made  in  sondrie  ports  of  Spaine,  from  joyning 
together;  for  which  purpose  only  the  said  Drake  was  sett  forth.  And 
yet,  after  her  Matie  was  enformed  that  the  said  preparations  were  in  some 
part  staied,  and  did  also  find  a  disposition  in  the  duke,  upon  your  returne, 
that  he  was  verie  well  bent  to  proceed  to  some  good  conclusion  of  peace, 
she  caused  an  expresse  messinger  to  be  sent  by  sea  unto  the  said  Drake 
with  letters,  by  the  which  he  was  expresly  comaunded  not  to  enter  into 
anie  of  the  King's  ports,  or  to  attempt  anie  act  of  hostilitie  by  land;  but 
only  to  explore  the  truth  of  the  preparations,  and  to  impeach  the  amassing 
of  the  same  from  port  to  port.  And  for  that  the  partie  sent  with  the 
said  letter  could  never,  by  reason  of  contrary  wynd,  recover  Sir  Francis 
Drake,  but  was  constreyned  to  returne  back  without  meeting  with  the 
said  Drake,  whereby  it  was  not  delivered,  her  Matie  since  his  returne  hath 
caused  him  to  be  verie  carefully  examined  upon  the  matter,  with  intent 
to  have  severely  punished  him:  in  case  it  had  not  been  found  (as  it  was) 
that  he  had  done  his  uttermost  endevor  for  the  finding  of  the  said  Drake, 
and  that  he  was  impeached  by  contrary  wynds.  And  for  the  better  mani- 


a  This  is  a  draught  or  copy  with  corrections  and  interlineations  added  in  Burghley's 
hand. 


44  APPENDIX. 

festing  of  her  Males  disposition  therein,  we  can  assure  you  that  her 
highnes,  understanding  of  some  attempts  of  the  said  Drakes  by  land  con- 
trary to  her  speciall  direction,  is  greatly  offended  with  him  for  the  same, 
and  meaneth  at  his  retorne  to  carie  him  to  his  aunsweare  for,  which 
sheweth  most  apparantly  the  continuance  of  her  Mates  good  disposition 
towards  the  peace,  wherein  we  can  assure  you,  yf  there  shalbe  found 
there  the  like  correspondencie  and  inclination,  there  was  never  greater 
hope  of  sound  and  spedy  proceeding  in  the  said  treatie  then  at  this  pre- 
sent. 


XIII. — [LETTER  OF  LORD  BURGHLEY  DISCLAIMING  DRAKE'S 
AUTHORITY  FOR  HIS  DEPREDATIONS.] 

[S.  P.  O.  For.  Corresp.  Flanders.] 
Burghley  to  Andreas  de  Loo,  18  July,  1587. 

Whan  I  had  wrytten  thus  far  and  had  red  it  over,  being  ready  to  sign 
it,  I  bethought  myself  that  you  wold  thynk  I  had  not  answered  on[e]  great 
scruple  mentioned  in  your  letter  by  the  duke  remembred  :  which  was,  that 
he  mislyked  greatly  the  actions  of  Sir  Fr.  Drake,  doutyng  that  they 
might  alienat  the  Kinges  mynd  from  the  inclyning  to  peace:  wherunto 
this  answer  ought  to  satisfye  you,  to  be  delivered  if  hereafter  the  duke 
shall  reiterat  that  scruple.  Trew  it  is,  and  I  avow  it  uppon  my  faythe, 
hir  Ma^  did  send  a  shipp  expressly,  with  a  messadg  by  letters  chargyng 
hym  not  to  shew  any  act  of  hostillite,  befor  he  went  to  Gales;  which 
messynger  by  contrary  wyndes  cold  never  come  to  the  place  wher  he  was, 
but  was  constrayned  to  come  home:  and,  hearing  of  Sir  Fr.  Drake's 
actions,  hir  Ma^  comaunded  the  party  that  retorned  to  have  been  punished, 
but  that  he  acquitted  himself  by  the  oth  of  hym  self  and  all  his  company. 

And  so  unwyttyng,  yea  unwyllyng  to  her  Ma^,  those  actions  war 
comitted  by  Sir  Fr.  Drake,  for  the  which  hir  Maty  is  as  yet  greatly 
offended  with  him.  And  now  for  his  bryngyng  home  of  a  rych  shipp,  that 
came  out  of  the  Est  Indias,  I  assure  we  (szc)  the  Q.  knoweth  not  as  yet  of 
what  vallew  hir  ladyng  is ;  but,  consideryng  the  great  losses  that  hir  sub- 


VOYAGE  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE, 

jectes  had,  both  by  arrest  of  all  their  goodes  in  Spayne,  and  by  takyng  of 
ther  persons,  and  oppressing  of  them  to  ther  ruyn  and  deth,  it  can  not  be 
that  this  shipp  nor  many  mo  the  lyk  can  satisfye  ther  former  losses :  and 
therfor,  untill  a  peace  may  be  made  and  fynished,  hir  Ma^  can  not 
inhibit  hir  subjectes  to  sek  ther  helpes  by  reprisalls :  nether  can  hir  Ma^ 
leave  to  kepe  hir  shippes  armed,  or  to  send  them  to  the  partes  of  Spayn, 
as  long  as  she  shall  certenly  understand  the  contynuall  preparations  that 
the  K.  maketh,  both  out  of  Spayn  and  Itally,  to  have  an  army  on  the 
seas,  with  manifest  intention  to  come  to  the  invasion  of  hir  contrees.  And 
hereunto  we  add  as  an  evill  sign  of  inclynation  to  peace,  in  that  we  heare 
that  dyvers  of  rebells  ar  lately  gon  out  of  France  to  the  D.  of  Parma, 
accompanyed  with  the  B.  of  Koss  disguised,  to  practise  with  the  D.  to 
offend  this  realm  by  the  way  of  Scotland. 


XIV. — [REQUESTS  OF  THE  MERCHANT  ADVENTURERS  FOR 

AN  EQUITABLE  SHARE  IN  THE  SPOIL.] 
[S.  P.  O.  Dom.  Corresp.] 

The  spoiles  of  bread,  wyne,  oile,  &c.,  which  was  taken  at  Gales,  shold  have 
byn  sent  home  as  merchaundize ;  but,  the  Quenes  shippes  beinge  victuled 
at  their  goeinge  forth  for  not  above  3  monethes,  the  same  was  deteyned  to 
supplie  their  necessitie,  whereas  the  merchauntes  shipps  were  furnished  for 
9  monethes  victules,  to  their  treble  charge,  so  that  they  require  to  have 
recompence  accordinglie  of  the  gooddes  now  sent  home. 

And  further,  whereas  there  was  a  pynace  sent  forth  to  meete  Sir  Fraunces 
Drake,  which  hath  taken  a  pryze  worth  5,000n  and  better,  the  saide  mer- 
chauntes desire  to  have  there  shares  thereof  accordinge  to  equitie,  so  shall 
they  be  incoraged  to  sett  forward  the  like  services  hereafter. 

There  be  certen  thinges  concealed,  which  will  secretlie  be  devided 
amonges  theym  that  have  least  deserved,  whereof  a  dilligent  care  for  th'ex- 
aminacion  is  to  be  hadd. 

(7w  dorsOj)  The  requests  of  the  Merchant  Adventurers  with  Sir  Francis 
Drak.  15  June,  1587. 


46  APPENDIX. 

XV. —  [NEWS  or  DRAKE  AFTER  THE  ATTACK  UPON  CADIZ.] 

[S.  P.  O.  For.  Corresp.  Spain.] 

This  shalbe  to  geve  your  honor  to  understand,  that  the  armye  which  is 
mayd  in  Lyshbona  ys  as  this ;  they  have  xxiiij  shipps,  of  the  wich  xv  ar 
Portinggalls,  and  eight  Biskins,  and  one  of  the  Duck  of  Florence:  the  which 
shipps  ar  allredy  with  ther  provicion  on  bord,  and  ther  saylls  a  crosse. 
Butt  at  my  coming  a  way  they  did  want  marry ners,  for  ther  staying  was 
for  the  marryners  of  the  shipps  which  Sir  Frances  Draycke  burnd  in 
Cay  11s,  and  the  souldiers  to  com  out  of  Napells  :  the  which  was  reported 
ther  should  corn  the  third  of  Napells,  and  iiij  galliasses,  and  xxx  galles : 
the  report  was  they  weare  all  aryved  at  Calls.  And  so  they  maid  ther 
accompt  to  be  in  Lichbona,  to  go  fourth  all  together  upon  S*  James'  day  to 
meate  with  Sr  Fraunces  Draycke,  and  to  wayte  for  ther  Inges  (Indies)  fleete. 
Your  honor  shall  understand,  that  this  armye  above  written  it  was 
reported  before  Sir  Fraunces  Drayckes  arry  ving  in  Cayles,  that  they  should 
goe  for  Ireland,  and  to  carry  with  them  the  Iryshe  Busshoppe,  which  is  in 
Lichbona,  for  to  proclayme  him  governor  of  Ireland  under  the  Poppe. 

Further  to  lett  your  honor  understand,  Sir  Frances  Draycke  arryved  in 
Gaskaylles,  which  ys  with  in  the  sight  of  Lichbona,  upon  Whitsound  Wed- 
nesday, after  the  Portinggaylles  accompte,  whiche  maide  all  the  people  to 
avoyde  the  towne,  both  men,  wemen,  and  children ;  and  carryed  with  them 
all  ther  substance.  So  the  cardinall  was  enformed  by  fyshermen  of  the 
same  towne,  that  Sir  Frauncis  Drayckes  stayinge  was  for  the  wantonye, 
for  the  wynning  of  the  countrye  ;  and,  presently  upon  the  same,  the  cardi- 
nall sent  for  all  his  noblemen  for  to  sitt  in  counsell  of  Sir  Frauncis  being 
ther.  And  that  present  day  they  mayd  xxiiij  Portinggall  gentlemen 
captaynes,  and  mayd  proclamacion  aboute  the  cittie  for  souldyers,  and 
some  of  the  said  captaynes  were  sent  upp  into  the  countrye  to  mayke 
souldyers  in  a  readines;  so,  before  my  coming  away,  they  had  armed 
twooe  portes  with  Portinggalles,  which  is  Gaskalles  and  Penniche. 

More  to  geve  your  honor  to  understand,  that  they  have  maid  in  Lich- 
bona, since  Sir  Frauncis  Drayckes  arryvinge  in  Caylls,  many  peces  of 
ordnaunce  of  coper,  and  of  bells  which  weare  broughte  out  of  Flaunders, 
and  before  these  weare  made  they  weare  not  halffe  provyded  of  ordnaunce 


VOYAGE  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D.  1587.  47 

for  ther  shipping.  Sir  Frauncis  Draycke  haith  so  touched  them  in  ther 
shipping  and  castells,  that  they  were  allmost  unprovyded  both  of  pro- 
vicion  and  ordnaunce. 

Allso  to  geve  your  honor  to  understande,  that  the  report  ys  in  all  gentle- 
mens  mowthes  in  the  courte  of  Portinggaylle,  that  the  Poppe,  and  the  King 
of  Spayne,  and  the  King  of  Fraunce,  the  Ducke  of  Florence,  with  all  the 
power  they  ar  hable  to  mayke,  [intend]  to  congquor  England  this  next 
yeare,  and  saythe  the  Prince  of  Parme  shall  com  Generall,  and  that  the 
Poppe  haith  graunted  him  to  be  Kinge  of  England,  and  to  ayde  and  assyst 
him  with  all  the  power  he  is  hable  to  mayke. 

(Endorsed,)  July,  1587. 

Keporte  of  the  Spanishe  Preparations. 


XVI. — [STATE  OF  ALARM  ON  THE  CONTINENT  AND  PROBABLE 
KESULTS  CONSEQUENT  UPON  DRAKE'S  CONTINUING  HIS  AG- 
GRESSIONS.] 

[Harl.  MS.  296,  fol.  44.] 

Pompeio  Pellegrini  to  M.  Giacopo  Mannucci,  in  London ;  dated  Florence, 
3  July,  1587  (partly  in  cipher). 

The  attempts  of  Sir  Fr.  Drake*  upon  those  coastes  [the  coasts  of 
Spain]  do  make  them  all  to  tremble,  and  yf,  upon  his  entrynge  into  the 
porte  of  Calisf  he  had  ymedyatly  landed,  he  had  undowtedly  and  without 
contrast b  put  that  rytch  towne  to  sacke,  and  made  a  grete  booty e,  whiche 
they  all  expected,  for  the  succors  came  not  in  sixtene  howers  after; 
nevertheles,  he  wrytes  that  the  dommage  hathe  byn  more  then  a  million 
of  crownes ;  thus  mutche  he  wryteth. 

*  The  words  here  denoted  by  italics  were  originally  written  in  cipher.       b  qu,  contest. 


48  APPENDIX. 


[Harl.  MS.  296,  fol.  46.] 

Another  Letter,  signed  B.  C.,  but  endorsed  "from  Mr.  Standen"  addressed 
to  M.  Jacopo  Mannucci,  in  London ;  under  date  of  Aug.  28,  1587,  from 
Italy  (partly  in  cipher}. 

If  the  flete  of  the  Peru  shoulde  lykewise  fall  in  Dracke's  clowches,  we 
Englishe  Catholickes  here  shoulde  not  be  able  to  shewe  our  faces,  for  I 
thincke  they  woulde  stone  us  to  dethe  in  the  stretes ;  sutche  a  generall 
mislyke  is  growen  here  of  our  nation  within  these  two  monethes,  aboute 
these  matters ;  for  that  Italic,  more  than  any  other  countrey,  is  damnified 
by  that,  and  the  stop  of  that  navigation,  whiche,  folowinge  in  this  maner, 
will  ruyne  many  a  familie  that  nowe  floweth  in  welthe,  and  sutche  as  a, 
whyle  agone  lawghed  at  the  abasement  of  Spayne,  &c. 


XVII.— GRIEF  OF  THE  SPANIARDS  AT  THE  LOSS  OF  THE 
CARRACK. — ESCAPE  OF  THE  WEST  INDIES'  FLEET. 

[S.  P.  O.  Domestic  Corresp.] 
Report  of  Gilbert  Tisont  who  came  from  Lisbone  the  3d  of  September,  1587. 

The  losse  of  the  carracke,  which  Sr  Fra.  Drake  did  take,  breed  mar- 
vailous  greif,  and  with  dread  did  the  marques  departe  forth;  for  yt 
was  given  him  to  understand,  that  there  were  3  fleetes  of  English  men  of 
warre ;  Sr  Fra.  Drake  having  onlie  the  charge  of  the  principall  fleete. 
So  that  yt  was  not  feared  onlie,  but  certainlie  resolved  upon,  that  the  West 
Indies  fleete  (notwithstanding  the  wastage  of  the  Marques)  would  be  inter- 
cepted. But  about  the  same  time  that  order  cam  from  the  Court  of  Spaine 
to  dispatch  that  fleete  to  the  Groine,  allso  came  the  newes,  that  9  West 
Indies  men  were  arrived  at  S1  Lucar,  but  the  rest  of  their  fleete,  being  about 
25  or  26  saile  more,  were  not  harde  of;  for  theise  ix.  shippes  were  seperated 
from  the  other  by  fowle  weather,  and  did  not  at  all  touch  at  the  Ilandes : 
neither  knewe  of  the  Marques  being  there.  There  was  great  joye  of  the 
cominge  of  those  ix.  shippes,  and  the  captaines  and  souldiers  made  there- 


VOYAGE  OP  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D.  1587.  49 

fore  a  triumph ;  now  expecting  royall  payment,  whereof  before  they  did 
despaire. 

And  for  that  the  newes  was  come  certaine  that  Sir  Fra.  Drake  was 
retired  home,  (whom  they  imagine  worketh  by  a  familiar,)  they  allso 
confirme  them  selves  in  hope  of  the  safe  arivall  of  all  the  rest  of  the  Indies 
fleete,  to  the  K.  his  settled  inrichinge  for  many  yeres  to  performe  his  in- 
tent with  all. 

At  the  cominge  awaie  of  this  partie  he  meett  with  iiij  great  shippes 
putting  into  Lisborne,  which  he  understoode  to  be  Indies  men,  whether 
East  or  West  he  knewe  not. 


XVIII. — [LETTER  OF  THE  COMMISSIONERS  (FOR  ORDERING  THE 
CONTENTS  OF  THE  CARRACK  ST.  PHILIP)  TO  THE  COUNCIL.] 

[Lansd.  MS.  115,  Art.  93.] 

Our  dewtyes  unto  your  honors  humblie  remembred,  wee  doe  in  like 
manner  signifie,  that  on  Mondaye  laste  we  began  the  service  for  discharge 
and  view  of  the  goods  in  this  carrocke  according  to  your  honors'  instruc- 
tions ;  whereof  yet  wee  ar  able  to  make  verye  smale  certificate,  neither 
wolde  wee  have  byn  at  this  tyme  herewith  troblesome  unto  your  honors, 
but  that  Sir  Fraunces  Drake,  the  bringer  hereof,  hath  acquaynted  us  with 
some  occations  for  which  hee  accoumpteth  his  presence  and  speedie  repayre 
unto  the  courte  verye  necessarye,  havinge  lefte  with  us  in  his  steede  Mr. 
Thomas  Fenner,  a  gentleman  knowen  to  your  honors,  verye  sufficient ;  as 
also  one  other  gentleman  of  his  companye,  named  Mr.  Stallenge,  whome 
wee  fynd  bothe  honeste  and  discreate,  who  giveth  us  great  helpe  to  under- 
stand the  Spanishe.  By  Sir  Francis  Drake  wee  sende  unto  your  honors  a 
booke  of  the  loadinge  of  the  shipp,  as  also  the  certificate  of  such  quantitie 
as  in  this  smale  tyme  hath  byn  landed  by  ourselves  or  by  Sir  Frauncis 
before  our  comynge :  and  therewith  also  wee  have  sentt  a  note  of  suche 
percells  of  golde  as  heitherto  wee  have  founde,  which  percells  of  golde  hee 
hath  thoughte  good  nowe  to  carrye  with  him  to  presente  unto  her  Matie. 
The  reste  of  our  tyme  shalbe  imployed  with  all  diligence  untill  wee  have 
taken  a  full  inventorie  of  all  that  is  in  the  bulcke  of  the  shipp,  whereof 

CAMD.  SOC.  G 


50  APPENDIX. 

wee  have  yet  moved  or  veiwed  verie  little  :  and  will  not  buisye  our  selves 
miche  in  breakinge  open  of  chestes  untill  wee  heere  agayne  from  your 
honors  ;  for  wee  conceave  here  wilbe  travayle  otherwyse  to  occupie  us  a 
longe  tyme,  and  in  the  ende  chieflye  for  committinge  the  pepper  into 
castes  and  canvas  bags,  whiche  muste  be  provided  ;  for  it  seemeth  to  lye 
all  abroade  in  the  ship.  By  your  honors'  nexte  advertisementes,  which 
wee  humbly  desyre  with  your  convenient  speede,  wee  expecte  your  good 
directions  what  strength  shalbe  appoynted  for  whaftinge  so  miche  as  your 
pleasures  shalbe  to  have  sentt  upp  by  sea  :  for  the  transportation  whereof 
wee  will  provide  bar  ekes  heere  accordingly  e.  And  so  referringe  the  farder 
satisfyinge  of  your  honors  touchinge  the  state  of  the  shipp  and  goods  unto 
Sir  Francis  Drake's  owne  reporte,  wee  humblye  comende  your  honors  to 
the  preservation  of  the  Almightie.  From  the  carrocke,  (yet  named  S* 
Philippi,)  in  the  roade  neere  Salteashe,  the  xiiijth  of  July,  1587. 

Your  honors'  to  comaunde, 

JOHN  GILBERTE.         THOMAS  GEORGES.         FRA.  GODOLPIITN. 

EDWA.  CARTE.  JOHN  HAWKYNS.          HENRY  BILLINGSLEY. 


(In 

14  July,  1587. 

Commissioners  for  the  orderinge  of  the  goods  within  the  prize  at  Plim- 
mouthe  to  the  Lords  of  the  Counsell. 


XIX.— [THE  GOODS  OP  THE  SAN  PHILLIPPE.] 

[Lansd.  MS.  115,  No.  89.] 

An  Estimate  of  the  Valewe  of  the  Goodes  taken  in  the  shippe  named 
the  S*  Phillip,  taken  by  Sr  Fraunces  Drake,  Knight,  and  unladen  at 
Saltashe  in  Julye  and  Auguste,  1587. 

Firste,  the  pepper,  by  the  bills  of  ladinge,  dothe  apeare 
ta  be  4,073  cwt.,  whereof  muche  is  decayed,  and   may         £        s.    d. 
be  esteemed  at     .  .  .  .  .  .    40,000     0     0 

There  is  discharged  neere  440   balles  of    annelle  of 
1  cwt.  the  peece,  valewed  at  xs  the  Ib.  w*  .  .    22,000     0     0 


VOYAGE  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D.  1587.  51 

There  are  neere  115  packes  of  course  callico  and  pin-        £        s,    d. 
tadoes  esteemed  at  50U  the  packe  .  .  .    5,750     0     0 

There  are  about  400  fardelles  of  synamon,  wch  may 
waye  80lb  the  peece,  at  v8  per  Ib.  wl  .  .  8,000  0  0 

There  maye  be  in  all  20  pipes  of  cloves,  which  may 
waye  4  cwt.  a  pipe,  at  iiijs  per  Ib.  we  .  .  1,600  0  0 

There  is  by  the  invoize  a  hundreth  tonne  of  Ibonie 
wood,  which  may  be  worthe  10U  the  tonne,  which  is  .  1,000  0  0 

There  are  about  110  chestes,  which  have  in  theim  callico, 
sylke,  some  spice,  and  divers  other  kindes  of  merchandize, 
which  may  be  worthe  10011  every  cheste  .  '.v  '  .  11,000  0  0 

There  is  in  the  shipp  and  discharged  certaine  silke 
vellett,  benjamyn,  waxe,  lacrie,  to  the  vallewe  of  by  estiina- 
cion  .  .  .  ,;.*:-  .;-.:•  .  •.;•>„.  2,000  0  0 

There  is  loden  15  pipes  of  salltpeeter,  which  waye  nere 
8  cwt.  a  pype,  vallewed  at  2411  a  pipe,  which  is  .  .  360  0  0 

There  was  founde  in  the  shippe  neere  1,400U  in  ryalles 
of  plate,  a  chaine  of  gold  worth  5001',  plate  of  golde  and 
silver,  and  some  jewelles  worth  by  estimacion  2,00011  -.  8,900  0  0 

The  shippe  with  her  ordenaunce  and  furniture  maye  be 
worth  .......  2,000  0  0 


£97,610     0     Oa 

•  This  must  have  been  the  first  rough  estimate  or  valuation  of  this  richly-cargoed  prize, 
for  we  find  among  the  Domestic  Correspondence  (  S.  P.  O.),  under  date  of  Oct.  8,  1587, 
another  and  apparently  more  comprehensive  estimate  of  "  all  the  merchandise  discharged 
out  of  the  Sl  Phillippe  in  the  Ryver  of  Saltashe." 

Among  the  articles  therein  enumerated  are  starched  calico  cloth,  broad  unstarched 
calico,  calicos  in  papers,  calico-lawn es,  coarse  calico  towels,  painted  pintados,  calico 
diapers,  fine  white  china  silk,  stitched  calicos  called  "  boultelles,"  fine  calico  called 
"  canekens,"  coloured  buckrams,  coloured  "  sipres,"  quilts,  turkey  carpets,  striped  coarse 
carpets,  coloured  tinsel  taffetas,  changeable  silks,  and  cruel  boratos,  white  sarcenets,  bales 
of  indigo  blue,  tons  of  dry  and  wet  pepper,  kintals  of  cinnamon  and  cloves,  mace  and 
benjamin,  china  packed  in  barrels,  lacquerie,  saltpetre,  beeswax,  nutmegs,  ebony,  &c. 

The  grand  total,  as  given  therein,  is  valued  at  £108,049  13  11,  a  prodigiously  large 
amount  as  compared  with  our  present  rate  of  currency. 


52  APPENDIX. 

XX. — CONTENTS  OF  A  CASKET  FOUND  IN  THE  SAN  PHILLIPPE.] 

[S.  P.  O.  Domestic  Corresp.] 

A  Note  or  Inventory e  of  a  smale  Casket  with  divers  Jewells,  veiwed  by  us  in 
the  Towne  of  Saltashe,  the  xjth  of  July  e,  1587,  contayening  asfolloweth: — 

Sixe  forcks  of  golde. 

Twelve  haftes  of  golde  for  kny  ves,  to  saye,  sixe  of  one  sorte  and  sixe  of 
another. 

One  chayne  of  golde  with  longe  lincks  and  hookes. 

One  chayne  of  golde,  with  a  tablet,  havinge  a  picture  of  Christe  in 
golde. 

One  chayne,  with  a  tablet  of  cristall,  and  a  crosse  of  golde. 

One  chayne  of  golde  of  esses,  with  fower  diamondes  and  fower  rubyes, 
sett  in  a  tablet. 

One  chayne  of  smale  beadestones  of  golde. 

One  smale  chayne  of  golde,  with  roughe  lincks,  and  a  tablet  hanging 
unto  it,  with  the  picture  of  Christe  and  our  Ladye. 

Two  pendens  of  golde  for  the  eares. 

Three  braceletts  of  golde,  eiche  with  a  crosse  of  sondrye  fashion. 

A  girdle  of  christall  garnished  with  golde. 

A  payer  of  beades  of  benjamyn  garnished  with  golde. 

Three  ringes  of  golde  with  stones. 

One  rounde  hoope  of  golde  inameled  with  blacke. 

One  smale  ringe  of  golde  with  a  pearell. 

Three  heads  and  three  rings  of  golde  for  walkinge  staves. 

One  boole  of  golde  and  sixe  spones  of  golde. 

Two  pomaunders,  the  one  with  a  smale  chayne  of  golde  and  garnished 
with  golde. 

One  pomaunder  garnished  with    golde  and  a  pearell  hanging  to  the 
same. 

One  smale  box  with  some  muskte  in  it. 

A  certayne  quantitye  in  peeces  of  amber  greece. 

One  hundred  eightye  and  nyne  smale  stones,  which  wee  esteeme  to  be 
gar  net  ts. 


VOYAGE  OF  SIR  FRANCIS  DRAKE,  A.D.  1587.  53 

Thirtye-nyne  aggetts,  smale  and  greate. 
Eleaven  other  stones  of  a  greene  cullor,  with  spotts  of  read. 
One  blood  stone. 

One  white  clothe,  in  the  which    there   goeth  diverse   smale    stones, 
thougth  to  be  of  smale  valew. 

The  saide  caskett,  garnished  with  golde,  with  two  keyes  and  a  smale 
chayne  of  golde  to  the  same. 

The  which  caskett  and  Jewells  before  rehearsed  Sir  Frauncis  Drake 
hath  taken  charge  to  dely ver  unto  her  Ma116  with  his  owne  handes  at 
this  presente. 

JOHN  GILBERTE.  THOMAS  GORGES.  FRA.  GODOLPHIN. 

EDWA.  CABYE.  JOHN  HAWKINS.  HENRY  BILLINGSLEY. 


XXI. — [THE  PARTITION  OF  THE  SPOIL.] 

[S.  P.  O.  Domestic  Corresp.] 

Right  honourable,  my  dutye  considered,  &c. 

According  to  the  valewacion  of  the  goodes  of  the  carricke,  the  ton- 
nedge  and  account,  with  a  note  of  LXXXU  for  tenne  enseignes,  signified 
unto  your  L.,  yt  may  be  understood  (under  your  honors'  correccion)  as 
followeth, — 

The   tonnedge   of    her   Mates  \ 

shippes  and  the  rest  .         4,975  tonnes V  7,623  partes. 

The  men  for  the  service          2,648  men     ) 

HerMates  shipping,  2,100  tonns,  and  1,020 
men,  ys  •  •  •  •  3,120 

The  L.  Admyrall,  175    tonns,    and    115 
men,  ys  -<•  •  •  •      290 

Sir  Francis  Drake,  600  tonns,  and   619 
men,  ys         *  •  •  •  •  1,219 

The   Marchauntes,  2,100  tonns,  and  894 
men,  ys 2,994 


54  APPENDIX. 

The  goodes,  as  by  the  valewacion  therof,  amounteth      £         9.     d. 
to  the  some  of     .  .  .  .  .  .  108,049  13  11 


Wherof,  according  to  the  said  proporcion,  ther  ys  dewe 

unto  her  Matie     ;             .             .             .             .             .  44,223  8     2 

The  charges  in  the  said  account  mencionede,  after  the  rate  1,524  411 

Eesteth,  the  same  being  disductede,  as  appereth    .  42,699  3     3 


And  abatinge  from  the  rest  of  the  shippes 
over  and  above  her  Maties,  400  tonns,  which  ys 
supposede  they  may  be  over  ratede,  ther  maye 
remayne,  shippinge  and  men  .  .  7,223  partes. 

Whereof  by  the  said  proporcion  her  Matie  ys  to  have     .    46,672     8  10 
The  charges  therof,  after  the  rate          .  .  .      1,608  13      I 


Resteth  dewe,  by  this  accompte  as  appereth  .    45,063  15     9 

So  that  the  differens  yeldeth  unto  her  Matie       .  .      2,364  12     6 

(Indorse,)  24  Oct.  1587. 

Stallenges*  paper  of  the  Phillip,  with  a  note  of  the  porcion  dew  to  her 
,  being  set  thereon. 


*  The  Mr.  Stallenge  mentioned  at  p.  49. 


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